01x02 - The River Stix

[bunniefuu]

Two new cases.

Nora's a widow. 80. Acute renal failure.

She's choosing not to do dialysis.

Joel has an inoperable brain tumor.

I gave them both your number.

Joel?

(BOTH MOANING)

You had sex with our target.

We arrest her. End of story.

Is this your mom's?

She's not a drug dealer.

She's a doctor.

Naomi collapsed onstage.

Honey, what did you take?

That stuff that was in your shed.

Please don't tell my mom.

I fainted.

I think Naomi's lying. These bottles. They were right here.

It's for Casper. He needs to be put down.

I need more pento.

Wanted to make sure that you were using and that you weren't selling.

I, Troy Dixon, choose to take my life.

Pentobarbital with champagne.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(CHUBBY CHECKER'S "LET'S TWIST AGAIN" PLAYING)

♪ Come on, everybody, clap your hands ♪

Okay, ladies, let's see this.

And up, down.

And up.

And four, three, two, one.

Let's just twist. Whoo!

♪ Let's twist again ♪

♪ Like we did last summer ♪

Twist it out! Come on!

♪ Come on let's twist again ♪

Shake 'em!

♪ Twisting time is here ♪

Whoo! Here we go!

♪ Round and round and up and down we go ♪

(MUFFLED MUSIC)

♪ Yeah let's twist again ♪
♪ Like we did last year ♪

(MUSIC RETURNS TO FULL VOLUME)

♪ Come on, twist again ♪
♪ Twisting time is here ♪
♪ Bop, bop ♪

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

Legs feeling better, Nora?

Much.

The swelling's gone down.

Oh, the water always helps.

Well, see you next Friday.

Good-bye, Edith.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(BIRDS CALLING)

Edward and I used to come here every weekend.

We'd sit here just where you two are right now and watch the birds.

How was your swim, Nora?

Oh, it was lovely, just to be in the water one last time.

And thank you for accommodating me, meeting me here.

I know it's a risk, but this is such a beautiful place to die.

A little risk makes life exciting, doesn't it?

Do you have any questions or concerns?

Anything on your mind?

You've been wonderful.

I'm just happy to have this choice.

(CORK POPS)

Edward was a scientist.

He always used to tell me, energy is not created or destroyed.

It just is.

(POIGNANT MUSIC)

I believe every bit of him is still around, just in a different form.

♪ ♪

That's beautiful.

It's true.

♪ ♪
♪ ♪

(WAVES CRASHING)

She's gone.

I'm sure.

Never gonna let it go, are you?

See? This is how it should be.

Say good-bye when you're ready in a place you love.

It should be, but it's not, so let's skedaddle.

Someone will find her, right?

Oh, God, yeah. One hour, this place will be swarming with people.

Oh, she left us a tip.

$5 each. Classic grandma.

Aww.

What about Joel?

What about him?

Oh, come on.

(SIGHS)

I was reviewing the journals on GBM tumors last night, and there are several new treatment options.

Oh, my God, you had sex with him, and now you think you two are gonna live happily ever after.

He's dying. And you are such a woman.

I'm not a woman. I'm a doctor.

I'm doing my due diligence.

Yeah, you are, duly and diligently.

(BLUESY ROCK MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Mary.

Hi.

Hey. (BOTH LAUGH SOFTLY)

Do you want anything?

The coffee here is... It's bad.

It's very bad.

I'm used to bad coffee.

You know, hospitals and all.

I used to work in a place like this when I was in med school.

Covered my coffee, covered my rent.

Really? So no help from Mom and Dad?

No mom, no dad.

I'm sorry it took me a couple days to get back to you.

But I still want to help.

Great. I mean, that... that is great.

So, as you know, glioblastoma progresses quickly.

Everything looks fine, and then you get one bad cell.

And then it multiplies, and it multiplies...

And it multiplies, yeah. So, why are you telling me this?

Joel, the thing is, people are working on it.

It's actually quite exciting.

And a friend of mine is doing a clinical trial next month.

He's looking for candidates.

You're serious?

Yeah.

Jesus. Now she's trying to save me.

Just roll with me, okay? I'm gonna break her.

Joel, wait!

(SIGHS)

You'd be perfect for one of these trials.

I mean, you're young. You're strong.

You know, I've had so much chemo and radiation...

Enough to k*ll everything inside of me except the tumor... in my brain, which is probably the only part of me I ever really liked.

I'm only trying to help you.

You really think there's something to fix, Mary?

There's nothing to fix, okay? I'm dying.

So, this... this whole thing you're doing, it's... it's mean.

(TENSE MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Joel.

♪ ♪

(ENGINE TURNS OVER)

(TIRES SQUEAL)

♪ ♪

I need to ask you something, Mom.

What is it, love?

Can you make me a grilled cheese sandwich?

'Cause I'm really hungry.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

You little sh*t.

(DOOR OPENS)

How you doing, Yvonne?

(MURMURING)

No more hospitals. No more treatments.

No more.

I want to... I want to go home.

Okay.

I'll speak to the doctor today and try and get you discharged.

I can connect you with the hospital's palliative care.

(MURMURS)

No.

Charlie, no.

Charlie, what is it?

My mom wants to know how much morphine it would take to...

I'm sorry.

I can't tell you that.

I have someone that I can refer you to.

An independent end-of-life counselor who can give you further recommendations.

♪ ♪

Just trust me.

♪ ♪

This one's urgent.

Yvonne Kowalchuk. ALS.

It's bad. Late stages. Well, end stages, really.

She was released this morning, and her son's been caring for her.

I quit.

It won't last.

You underestimate my willpower.

Um, how old is her son?

Charlie. 15.

And he understands?

He supports his mother's decision wholeheartedly.

He's a great kid.

Nora.

Nora? I thought this would be for Joel.

Joel is still with us.

This isn't a same-day delivery service, okay?

I haven't yet confirmed he's a good candidate.

He's terminal. He wants to die.

I know, and he's exhibiting all the symptoms of brain tumor: highs and lows, erratic behavior.

I just want to make sure he knows what he wants.

Okay. Whatever.

But I am personally vouching for Yvonne, okay?

It is imminent, so, please, no foreplay.

I promised Charlie, all right?

So, you do have feelings.

Buried somewhere deep down, yeah.

I'll see her later today.

Thank you.

(CELL PHONE BUZZING)

Good luck with withdrawal.

(BUZZING CONTINUES)

Hello?

Dr. Harris.

I'm Dr. Adrian Carmichael.

I'm calling on behalf of Joel Collins.

I understand you're working with him.

Yes, Joel came to Eden General seeking palliative care.

Yes, I know. He called me.

He told me that you're pushing him towards clinical trials.

Not pushing, but I mentioned them, yes.

I want to make sure he's aware.

He is aware.

Look... we've treated his tumor with aggressive radiation and chemo... the whole nine.

Okay, but did you ever discuss a more radical treatment like stem cell trials, OSMRs?

I assure you. We've tried everything.

I do hope that Eden General can accommodate his needs.

He's suffered enough.

You're right.

Thank you.

♪ ♪

(CHUCKLES)

Good job.

Yeah!

I miss it, man.

(LAUGHS) I miss it.

As soon as my wife divorces me, I'm going back to undercover.

All right, come on. Wendy is great.

Yeah, Wendy's standing between me and my damn dreams.

Your dreams?

Yeah.

You ever see those heated driveways?

(LAUGHS) No, I...

Melts the snow right off. Well, I want one, bad.

But Wendy thinks it's frivolous, unnecessary.

Yeah, that's because I'm the one that's shoveling the damn driveway every time it snows.

You need better dreams, my man.

I bet you know almost every entry in that journal by now.

Yeah, almost.

You spoken to his father yet?

Not since the first meeting.

But he's coming in tonight for a debrief.

I want to deliver.

Tonight?

He's a judge. He's a busy man.

(SIGHING) Oh, man.

Hey, when you get Mary, and you will, you need her to tell you exactly what she's going to do...

An incriminating statement that will hold up in court.

I know, man. I've done it before.

All right, good.

Just go give her those puppy dog eyes, get this bitch to k*ll you.

(CHUCKLES)

(DARK MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(CHUCKLES) Jumpy.

Hey, we're packed to go to Dad's.

You guys have any fun plans tonight?

Whee!

Shoes on the bed!

Me and Naomi are going to Tristan's.

He's having some people over.

Naomi and I.

Me and Naomi.

How is she?

She's telling everybody at school she had a near-death experience.

What's a near-death experience?

It's just a way of getting attention.

You know, if anything happens again with her, you can come to me, right?

Yeah.

Hey, Mama?

Yeah?

Where's Casper?

Put those in the bin. Thank you!

Whoa, you okay?

Yep, I got it.

Hey, Mary.

Hi.

Naomi, how you feeling?

Oh, you know, still breathing.

You know you can take that off.

Hm? Oh, yeah, I know.

I just kind of like it.

Our cat is dead.

Oh, no.

I wanted to wait a little bit before I told her, but she asked, so...

(DOOR CLOSES)

Hey. What's going on?

Casper d*ed.

Really?

But he was only, what? Seven?

Cancer. It was all over.

I had to, um, put him down.

I think you did the right thing.

You know, when they're suffering, it's the only option.

Can I have ice cream since I'm sad?

(LAUGHS) Give me a hug.

Of course.

Love you.

Bye.

I'm sorry.

God, I loved that dumb cat.

You should've told me.

He's in a better place now.

(PHONE RINGING) I have to get that.

Hey.

Um...

(RINGING CONTINUES)

You're late on your child support.

I just gave you two grand in cash.

Right. But when am I getting the rest?

(RINGING CONTINUES)

I'll bring it when I pick up the girls.

Yeah? Are you on your way to Yvonne's?

Yeah. Leaving in five.

Okay. I'm heading there now.

Hey, Des, never get married.

You're the only woman I want in my life permanently, which is why I keep rejecting your sexual advances.

(PHONE BUZZING)

I have another call I have to take.

I'll... I'll meet you there.

Hi, Joel. I'm sorry about earlier.

You said don't buy a g*n.

What?

You said don't buy a g*n.

You said that you would help me.

I want to help you. I do.

You know what? It's fine.

It's fine. I got this.

Good-bye, Mary.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Joel!

♪ ♪

(ENGINE TURNS OVER)

(TIRES SQUEAL)

♪ ♪

(POUNDING ON DOOR) Joel!

Joel!

♪ ♪

What are you doing?

What I should've done in the first place.

You don't want to do this.

Yes, I do.

Not like this.

You should help me.

(SIGHS) I'll help you.

You can lie down.

Thanks.

(BEN SIGHS)

The money.

I don't want it.

Why?

I just don't.

What am I gonna do with it?

Please take it.

Come on, I don't want charity.

Please. Please.

What medications are you taking?

Carbamazepine. Anti-seizure.

When did you take your last dose?

This morning.

Is there anyone you want to say good-bye to?

Do you want to take a moment or make any phone calls?

No.

Can you tell me again?

Tell you what?

Tell me how you're gonna do it.

What do you mean?

How you're gonna k*ll me.

I mean, I know you... you told me how they do it in Switzerland, but just... I really want to hear how you're gonna do it.

(DARK MUSIC)

♪ ♪

I need to wash my hands.

Yeah, the sink's right there.

Where's your bathroom?

Down the hall.

♪ ♪

(FAUCET STOPS)

♪ ♪

(DOOR OPENS)

♪ ♪

So, you took carbamazepine this morning?

Yeah.

Can I see the bottle? I need to know what I'm working with.

I threw it out this morning. I thought it was my last dose.

I need to get your file. It's in my car.

Why do you have to get my file?

I need to confirm your medication.

Maybe you could take a moment to think about what you're grateful for...

All the good things in life.

You're gonna need a drink, so why don't you grab a beer from the fridge?

I'll be right back.

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(PHONE RINGING)

I've been waiting half an hour.

Des, he's a cop!

Who?

Joel!

I'm at his apartment right now. I almost k*lled him.

How the hell do they know? You think it's your nurse?

Never. She would never do that.

Look. I'm leaving now.

But we can't do Yvonne. Not tonight.

So go in, make nice, and tell her we'll be back next week.

Okay, okay, okay, but listen, get out, now.

sh*t. (BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BLEEP).

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(PHONE BUZZING)

Oh, sh*t. Yeah, talk fast.

She's by her car. Can't see what she's doing.

I'm going in.

No. No, no, no. I'm coming down.

I'm coming down.

♪ ♪

Mary! Hey! Hey!

God.

♪ ♪

Hey. What are you doing?

So, did you think about it?

Think... think about what?

What you're grateful for.

Yes.

Yes. I'm grateful for you.

Here.

Joel, listen to me.

You're obviously upset and struggling.

But, you know, to be honest, you kind of scare me.

(STAMMERING) Why do I scare you?

I wanted to help you and counsel you, but the g*n, the erratic behavior, I...

I just don't feel safe.

I have to go now.

No, please don't go. Just take the money.

Please. Mary.

Mary!

(ENGINE TURNS OVER)

(TIRES SQUEAL)

♪ ♪

(GRUNTS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

She knows.

Nah. She likes you better alive.

She knows.

sh*t.

This is gonna be a hell of a debrief.

Yeah, what time are we meeting Judge Grant?

He's waiting for us now.

(ROCK MUSIC)

(CHATTER)

And the second I turn 18, I'm gonna move to New York.

Oh, yeah?

Hey, so, we said we'd be home an hour ago.

We should probably...

It's fine. They haven't even called us yet.

It's fine. It's fine.

So, have you seen that movie "Cabaret"?

No.

You've seen that movie.

Of course you've seen that movie.

Well, I'm gonna be just like them.

Yeah.

Dancing and singing for money.

Oh, I get it. Yeah.

You're gonna be a star. Right?

Yeah.

Okay.

What are you doing?

It's cocaine.

(PARTY MUSIC PLAYING)

♪ ♪

Stole it from my dad.

You want some?

No, I don't.

I do.

Hey, Naomi, you were just in the hospital.

You had a... You had a really bad night.

♪ ♪

(LAUGHS)

What does it feel like?

It makes you feel like you're a star.

Okay.

Okay?

♪ ♪

(SNIFFS)

That's...

(SHAKY BREATHING)

I don't want to wake her.

She doesn't sleep much these days.

That's okay. I understand.

The thing is, Charlie, we have a bit of a situation.

My mom wanted me to show you this.

(SHAKY BREATHING)

I've had a blessed life.

I have my beautiful boy, Charlie.

And when this is all over, he'll go live with his dad, and maybe he'll even get a better haircut.

I've lived exactly the life I wanted to live.

When it's time, I want the choice to die... the way I want to die.

Uh... (SNIFFLES)

How much is it again?

Charlie, we...

I'm afraid we're gonna have to postpone your mom's appointment.

I don't get it.

We can't help your mom. Not today.

Annie said you'd do it today.

She made a mistake.

But Mom's ready. I'm ready!

I know. I know.

I'm... I'm sorry.

What?

Hey. Hey, don't leave.

I'm sorry, Charlie.

(DOOR OPENS)

I said don't leave!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(PHONE RINGING)

How'd it go with Yvonne?

Not great.

I'm here with Charlie now, and he's... He's pointing a g*n at my head.

What?

It's a small g*n, but it's still a... a g*n, nonetheless.

Tell her to come over. Please.

He said he wants you to come over.

Annie promised. She said you'd help us tonight, so you're gonna help us tonight.

He said we're gonna help him...

I heard. Ah, sh*t!

What's she saying?

She said, "sh*t".

My mom can't breathe. She can't even move.

You have to help her.

Guys, I had to get rid of the pento.

What?

What?

What is it?

Charlie, we don't have the dr*gs.

♪ ♪

Stop messing with me.

I'm not, all right?

So you can stop pointing the g*n at me.

I'm gonna leave now.

Okay?

Don't go.

Easy.

I said don't go!

Please don't go!

Aah!

(GASPS)

(DES GROANS AND SHOUTS)

(YVONNE GROANS LOUDLY)

Everything's all right, Mom. It's okay.

Des? Des!

(GROANS)

Des, are you okay?

I'm so sorry. I didn't think it was loaded.

I... I've never even held it before, I...

Oh, my God, Des, say something!

Get me a towel!

(GROANING) Shoulder wound.

I'd call it a graze, but it hurts like hell.

(WHIMPERS) (DES GROANING)

You said it was a graze. Is that true? Is that right?

(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) Yeah, sure.

Please. I have no one else.

(GRUNTS)

I really think we need to help Charlie.

Okay, um, Des, you need to give me the name of your dealer.

That's a bad idea.

You know another way to get pento on short notice?

All right.

His name's Grady.

I'll send you his address, let him know you're coming.

Mary...

Mary, he's not a good person.

I can handle it. Send the address.

(DOOR OPENS)

Hi.

I'm Mary, Des's friend.

Hi, Mary.

Can you take your shirt off?

(LAUGHS)

Are you kidding?

No. I'm not the one laughing.

I'm not taking off my shirt.

Mary, in my business, if I sell to the wrong client, then they make me live in a cage for 20 years.

So, your politeness and your modesty is not a high priority for me.

You don't need to trust me to take my money.

Take your shirt off, Mary.

Happy?

Yeah.

Of course.

I have a very good life.

And I'm very happy that you're not wearing a wire.

You don't have track marks.

The pento's not for me. It's for Des.

I just gave him a full box the other day.

He lost it.

(LAUGHS)

He lost it?

Can I buy more from you?

I mean, that's what you do, right?

Do you have any kids?

(DARK MUSIC)

I really have to get back to Des.

He's in rough shape.

I have this little step-niece, Maya.

She's six.

She's sleeping over.

And she just plays.

Color for hours.

Love that kid.

She's the cutest little thing.

♪ ♪

You're kind of cute too.

♪ ♪

You look good.

Sid, would you get Dr. Mary Harris of 228 Maple Drive what she came here for tonight?

(SIGHS)

You can count it if you want.

Nah, we're good.

♪ ♪

Hey, Mary?

Smile.

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

(CAMERA WHIRRING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Judge Grant, sorry to keep you waiting.

I don't mind waiting if it's for a good reason.

Uh, "Joel" just met with Dr. Harris.

And?

We're close.

Close?

I don't understand how it is that you guys don't have enough evidence.

Aren't these meetings being recorded?

Uh, yes, but unfortunately we don't have anything incriminating on tape as yet.

The... the suspect's working under the pretense of being some kind of end-of-life counselor.

What about the nurse Ethan mentioned in his journal?

Annie Chung. Works in the intensive care at Eden General.

The nurse is just the liaison, sir.

I mean, she connects the patients to Dr. Harris.

We burn her, we burn the whole operation.

Sir, look. We know this is difficult, but the best way to bring Dr. Harris down is to catch her in the act.

Gentlemen, my son had another year.

He could've done a clinical trial.

He could've done a million things.

What he could not have done was give consent, which makes this m*rder.

I assure you, sir, if Dr. Harris helped your son die, we will prove it.

Good.

(WHEEZING)

Charlie!

Gonna need another towel.

(LAUGHS) Look at that.

Does it hurt?

No. It feels lovely.

Seriously, I-I didn't mean to.

sh**t me? Yeah, funny, that. And yet here we are.

(GRUNTS)

There's probably a lesson about g*ns embedded in all of this, eh, Charlie?

My mom got the g*n after my dad left, said it made her feel safer at night.

(YVONNE WHEEZING)

She's close.

How can you tell?

I was a doctor, too, Charlie.

Well, plastic surgeon.

It was all very pleasant until I did something stupid and they took my license away.

(DOORBELL RINGS) Oh, thank Christ.

(GRUNTS)

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

Charlie.

♪ ♪

It's okay.

♪ ♪

It's all gonna be okay.

♪ ♪

Can I come in?

Ugh, I got it, I got it, I'm fine.

Let's just do this and get out, okay?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

She can't swallow.

This is our first injection.

It's not quite how I pictured it.

(SARAH MCLACHLAN'S "FULL OF GRACE" BEGINS PLAYING)

What are you doing?

♪ The winter here's cold ♪

It's her favorite song.

Oh, jeez.

Des.

♪ It's chilled us to the bone ♪
♪ ♪
♪ We haven't seen the sun for weeks ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Too long too far from home ♪
♪ ♪

You ready to do this, or what?

♪ And I claw for solid ground ♪

I love you, Mom.

♪ I'm pulled down by the undertow ♪

I want it to be peaceful.

It will be.

Like slipping into a dream at the end of a long day.

(CHARLIE SNIFFLES, EXHALES)

(YVONNE MOANS)

(BREATH RATTLING)

♪ If all of the strength ♪
♪ And all of the courage ♪
♪ Come and lift me from this place ♪
♪ I know I could love you much better than this ♪
♪ Full of grace, full of grace ♪
♪ My love ♪
♪ I never thought I could feel so low ♪
♪ Oh, darkness, I feel like letting go ♪

(YVONNE WHEEZING SOFTLY)

(SHAKY BREATHING)

♪ ♪
♪ I know I could love you much better than this ♪
♪ Full of grace ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I know I could love you much better than this ♪

(CRYING)

You got lucky.

Yeah. That's exactly how I feel.

(INHALES DEEPLY) Our last job.

At least we went out with a bang.

Our last job?

Well, I assumed, since your gentleman turned out to be an officer.

Standing there with Charlie tonight, Des, I know what it feels to be him.

I know.

Except in my case, there was no one there willing to help.

Listen to me.

Right now, they don't have anything on us.

So we just need to be smarter.

You know what?

I had a few ideas while I was bleeding to death.

Aging baby boomers are gonna want to die in the same manner in which they lived, bourgeois comfort.

Now, the Swiss, they know that.

That's why death tourism's such a massive business over there.

And?

And we should be starting to buy up property, getting ready to go legit.

I'm serious.

I'm having a... An entrepreneurial seizure here.

Let's be a... A start-up for shutting down.

"The spa you'll never want to leave... and you won't."

Des...

If you're traveling the River Styx, why not take a yacht?

Where's the cat?

(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)

I think I might have, uh... left the window open.

I know, I know. I'm sorry.

But there's a reason I've never been responsible for anyone or anything else.

Except for lives, as a doctor.

Yeah, look how that turned out.

(SIGHS)

Well, it's a long way to fall.

(TENSE MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Ow. Why did you do that?

I'm mad at you.

Oh, my God, don't be mad at me.

I hate it when you're mad at me.

Where'd you go last night?

I looked for you, and you were gone.

Yeah, I left, because watching you be a train wreck is just really, really tedious, so I...

God, seriously, the cocaine wasn't even that good.

I mean, all that happened was, like, everything sped up, and my heart...

Come here. Feel my heart.

Yeah.

You... you didn't faint that other night at our recital, did you?

What?

You took the... the stuff from my mom's shed, right?

I'm sorry.

I'm an idiot. I'm an idiot!

You know, I think there's something wrong with my brain.

I...

Don't tell anyone about the dr*gs, okay?

Seriously, my mom will send me away, and I'll never see you again.

Jess? Please?

Yeah. I won't... if you stop.

Oh, God, you sound like your mom.

What do you mean, I sound like my mom?

At the hospital...

I told her I took her dr*gs from the shed, and she said she wouldn't tell anyone if I cleaned up my act.

Wait, she knew about it?

Oh, yeah.

And she totally covered for me, too.

I'm hungry. I want breakfast.

(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)

(PHONE BUZZING)

Hello?

I, um, my name's Carly Dixon.

I think you might know... Or knew... my husband, Troy Dixon.

I found your number on this pamphlet.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Are you there?

♪ ♪

Mary.

Joel.

No. Wait. You're not, are you?

Not what?

You're not Joel.

Ben.

Still Mary.

I liked you better as Joel.

You liked me better dying?

Do you think I'm a criminal?

What you're doing is very illegal.

What's illegal?

Talking to people about options?

About Switzerland? About death?

If that's illegal, arrest me.

If you think I'm a criminal, arrest me.

You don't get to play God, Mary.

None of us do.

I don't know what to tell you, Ben.

You got the wrong girl.

(GABRIELLE ALPIN'S "LIGHT UP THE DARK")

♪ ♪

♪ I don't have to mention that I saw you today ♪
♪ I shone the sun into your eyes ♪