ER
Previously on ER...
They got you on oxigen?
I need help living my life, Mark,
you'll be the first person I call.
I mean, he did every crappy assignment
that the Navy wanted him to do.
And it didn't matter. He never got the nod.
- Oh. No, that's not what-
- You want to talk about this at dinner?
- I made you feel uncomfortable.
- You didn't.
Your father loves you very much, Mark.
He may not show it in the way
that you want him to, but he does.
"Family Practice"
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to San Diego.
Remain seated until the aircraft
has come to a full and complete stop.
Flight from Chicago has arrived.
We apologize for the delay...
...and will begin boarding for
continuation in just a few minutes.
Mark?
Dad, I told you I'd rent a car.
Your mother appreciates you coming.
Wishes she could've called herself.
- They get her knee wired?
- And put in a cast.
I warned her not to use
that footstool like a stepladder.
Were you there?
I was out in the garage.
I don't have any bags.
We can go.
We've got to wait.
Your friend's coming.
She tried to catch up with you
at O'Hare, but she missed you.
What friend?
Surprise!
Hi, Mark.
Hi.
Dad, this is Cynthia Hooper.
I hope you weren't just being
polite on the phone.
Sounded like your hands were full,
and I just really wanted to help out.
It's nice of you.
Here, let me take that.
- Thanks.
- I got it.
- How was your flight?
- It was great.
Especially the landing.
I've never seen the Pacific before.
Do you have luggage?
I think I packed too much.
You look like your dad.
I can't believe they lost my bags.
Your mom will be disappointed
if you don't stop by.
- The new hospital looks nice.
- Best facility in the country.
I couldn't let you do this alone.
It's sweet, but what about
your shifts?
I left a message for Kerry Weaver.
Mark, this is family.
I know it's your family, but...
Mrs. Greene. Mrs. Greene, please.
- Be careful, please.
- No, don't make me stop.
I thought sailors loved the cancan.
- Hi, Mom.
- There you are!
Oh, I'm so glad!
- You okay?
- Look what I did.
I'm so mad at myself.
Well, accidents happen.
All I can do is cancan,
and the corpsman says I can't cancan.
Cancan.
What meds is she on?
Morphine and a benzo.
- Ativan?
- Dr. Sayers is tapering her off.
- Dr. Sayers? Is that her orthopod?
- He's the neurologist.
- Why does she have a neurologist?
- Can I fill in your son?
A mother has to have some
secrets, right?
- Could you get him?
- I'll see who's on call.
- Hello.
- Hi.
This is Cynthia Hooper.
Nice to meet you, Mrs. Greene.
- You're getting married?
- No, we're not...
...thinking about that now.
- At least you're not a sourpuss.
- I hope not.
His first wife had a real sour streak.
Mark, as much as I hate to say it,
I'm afraid Rachel's got it too.
- You can visit tomorrow.
- We gotta say good night.
Okay, baby.
Night-night. Sweet dreams.
- I love you.
- You too. See you tomorrow.
- Nice meeting you.
- Good night. Bye-bye.
- Good night, Mrs. Greene.
- Bye, sweetheart.
I want to speak with Dr. Sayers,
on call or not.
- Your mother's heavily medicated.
- That's not my mother.
Did she hit her head
when she fell?
For the fifth time, I have no idea.
She didn't mention it.
Maybe something slid off
the shelf and hit her.
- Dr. Sayers says it's normal.
- I disagree.
- Looks like a little low-density to me.
- What would that mean?
- She wasn't acting like this before?
- You mean being emotional and all?
No, I mean being loony
and out of control.
She wasn't that bad.
It's the morphine.
That's what Dr. Sayers said.
With her blood pressure,
I don't want to take any chances.
Excuse me, Dr. Greene?
I have Dr. Sayers for you.
Dr. Sayers is a straight sh**t.
I respect the man. Your mother's
getting first-rate care.
They owe her that.
Don't you worry about this.
Mark is gonna get to the bottom of it.
No, it doesn't look like artifact
to me.
That's not good enough. I want
the MRl done tomorrow morning.
What a nice, quiet neighborhood
you live in.
Got beer in the house?
Look. You may find a couple
in the garage.
May I please use your bathroom?
My eyeballs are ready to float.
Yes, ma'am. Through there.
Nobody says that anymore.
"Yes, ma'am. " "No, ma'am. "
It makes you feel better
just hearing it.
Yes, ma'am, it does.
Oh, I feel so much better.
Thanks for the shampoo.
Is this too weird?
No. Me in my old bed.
You in my mom's bathrobe.
Not weird at all.
I can take it off.
That's all right.
Do you think your dad minds
that I'm here? I think he likes me.
Of course he likes you.
What's not to like?
He's really b*ating himself up
over your mom.
That'd be a first.
I'm sorry. Just being here
brings out the adolescent in me.
Flip over. I'll do your back.
So this was your bed growing up?
From age .
We moved it from Jacksonville,
to Norfolk...
...to Corpus Christi, to D.C.
So that's why you curl up
when you sleep.
Your feet are hanging over
the edge of the bed.
All through high school.
And during high school you would lie
in this very bed...
And think about Kate Jackson.
Kate Jackson? Not Farrah Fawcett?
No. Farrah Fawcett's too scary.
And Holly Fecteau.
The girl next door.
Who would one night...
...sneak into this room...
...pick up the covers...
...and slide into the bed,
next to you.
What?
Nothing.
- We're late.
- I told you to give me a shout.
You took so long to get
cleaned up.
You don't just turn off a router
and walk away.
- There he is.
- Who?
Dr. Sayers.
Dr. Sayers!
You've caught me, sir.
It's addiction when you're running
late and stop for your morning fix.
This is my son, Mark.
Nice to meet you.
You get a few hours sleep?
A few.
I'd like a triple grande,
non-fat cap. Gentlemen?
- No, thanks.
- I'll take a tall latte.
- Coming up.
- We're Navy, but we're still California.
- And one of those almond buns too.
- Yes, sir. Coming up.
I know you're concerned.
Her history of high blood pressure-
And she has an upgoing right toe.
It suggests stroke.
CT didn't confirm that, and I didn't
detect hemiparesis or hyperreflexia.
That's why I wanted the MRl.
I was waiting to complete
a neuro exam before more tests.
- Mark, if that's better-
- Dealer's choice.
- My concern is giving your mom time-
- Time could be her worst enemy.
It's why we moved it up.
I'd like to be present
for the neuro exam.
You're tapering her off the narcotics,
but, frankly, I'm-
Present arms!
Mrs. Greene, we're going to begin
the first sequence.
Okay.
This will take about
a half an hour, Mom.
It's important that you don't move or
speak. Just take shallow, easy breaths.
This first sequence will take
/ minutes to sh**t.
Beginning now.
Where did my dad go?
He said he'd be back after lunch.
Went back to his garage.
He's building a wheelchair ramp for
my mom when she comes home.
It's all he's worried about.
- It'll come in handy.
- Okay.
Hang in there, Mrs. Greene.
You're doing well.
No.
- No.
- Just relax.
- No!
- I'm here, Mom. I'm here.
Mark?
I can't stand it!
Mark, get me out!
All right, stop it.
I'm getting her out.
Oh, please! Oh, please!
It's okay. I'm here, Mom.
I'm here.
It's okay.
- Don't move your leg.
- I can't stand it!
What's the matter with me, Mark?!
It's normal.
It's a normal reaction.
I was all alone!
Yes. I was all alone!
You're not alone now. I'm here.
I'm here for you, Mom.
You're a good boy, Mark.
Stay with me, please?
I'll stay. I'll stay. I'll stay.
Just like always?
Just like always.
How's that ramp coming?
Taking a break.
What did the doctor say?
Just presumptive diagnosis.
Doctor's best guess.
Her symptoms present like
a deep-tissue disease...
...in the frontal lobe of the brain.
MRI and second CT don't indicate
stroke or injury.
Sayers is thinking...
...multi-infarct dementia.
What's that?
Small infarcts, too small to detect...
...in the brain tissue.
It could manifest as disinhibition...
...and it fits with her history of
hypertension.
Can you explain that in English?
What's an infarct?
A series of very small strokes.
- What can they do about it?
- Not much.
Take a wait-and-see approach.
- Do you still box?
- No.
You always had the footwork for it.
I hated the whole thing.
You made that clear.
What do you think about this
wait-and-see for your mother?
I think the whole thing stinks.
Dad?
Dad?
Greene residence.
No, she's not.
Hold on just a second.
What was that? Stanley?
Stanley what?
What's this regarding?
Well, she may know,
but this is her son...
...and she'll be tied up this week.
I don't think she's gonna keep...
...her appointment, whatever it's for.
Right. Okay.
I'll pass it along.
It's like a foreign language.
You have to grow up in it.
Hey, good morning!
- My luggage didn't come, did it?
- Nope.
- Dad, do you know a Stanley Black?
- No.
- Where does Mom go every Thursday?
- What do you mean?
On her calendar, : is marked on
Thursday for the last few months.
Could be her women's group at
the Family Services Pavilion.
Which group is that?
Spouses of retired officers.
Wives get together.
Is that for bridge,
service projects, or what?
It's your mother's group.
I have no idea.
Who wants breakfast?
I'll make eggs.
You already got one burning.
You take that one, instead of
sneaking mine when I'm not around.
You counting cigarettes now?
I'll pass on breakfast, thanks.
I didn't start that.
He was in a good mood before.
What were those three items that
I asked you to remember earlier?
There were three.
Yes. One was a phone book.
- Were they important?
- Not really.
But do you remember?
A phone book...
...an apple and...?
Banana?
No?
- Do I lose points for guessing?
- Not at all.
Let's move on.
I'm going to tell you a saying. It's
something that you've heard before.
- I want you to tell me what it means.
- Okay.
"People who live in glass houses
shouldn't throw bricks. "
Have you heard that one?
Yes, I have. I've heard it.
And what does it mean?
I should get this.
We've lived in lots of different
houses, haven't we, Mark?
Never a glass house.
"People in glass houses
shouldn't throw bricks. "
Well, people shouldn't throw bricks.
Even if it's close quarters,
and it usually is.
You've got to get along with
the other families.
They're all in the same boat you are.
The children are probably
the ones throwing the bricks.
And how do the mothers stop them
if the fathers aren't around?
It's always the mother's fault.
Even if she doesn't wanna have
the children in the first place.
That was a trick question.
But I think I've got it, sneaky.
If you live in a glass house...
...there are no bricks to throw.
Right? Right?
- Dr. Greene?
- Yes.
Okay. I've got Corey-Bloom...
...Acta Neurologica Scandinavia...
...McLaughlin, Sandison and Flostein.
Thank you.
I'm off at , but you're
welcome to stay if you need to.
I will.
Hey.
I thought you were asleep.
I woke up.
- Sorry I got ahead of you.
- Don't you dare apologize.
I thought you were with me.
You are the most considerate man
that I've ever been with.
Every single time doesn't have
to be about me.
Still, I...
I don't know where you get it.
You know, being so generous?
If I had whatever it is
that your mom has...
...and if I just said everything
that was on my mind...
...I would thank both of your parents for
raising a son who's such a good lover.
You bring it out in me.
You lie.
It has nothing to do with me.
You take care of people.
Yeah.
That's me, the caretaker.
It's not a bad thing.
I'm like a magnet for needy people.
It's like they find me wherever I go.
Like I did?
No.
Yeah, Mark. I lean on you.
I mean, it must be a drag.
No.
It's just all this stuff with my mom.
Yeah. You're just overwhelmed
right now.
Very still, Mom. Very still.
What's this one for?
We want to rule out encephalitis.
It may be why you're not feeling
like yourself.
Isn't that why they scanned my belly?
That was to rule out Paraneoplastic
Syndrome.
Almost done.
How many more rule-outs are left?
Are you getting tired?
The other doctor said I could go home.
He signed off on the knee. They still
have to do an EEG tomorrow.
It doesn't have to be done.
If it's Jakob-Creutzfeldt,
I don't wanna mess around.
How about a brain biopsy
while we're at it?
I know I'm pushing you for a more
aggressive approach than you're used to.
I can be thorough without
being aggressive.
All done, Mrs. Greene.
- Can I go now?
- Probably in another day or two.
If my mother were in the ER, I'd
be terrible support for her.
I don't have the temperament for ER.
I don't have the temperament
for passive treatment.
Is your mother sick too, doctor?
No, my mother's fine.
Your indulging me in a few tests
is not enough.
I want a second opinion.
I'll ask the head of Neurology.
No. I'll find a civilian.
- She's been seeing this shrink.
- What for?
The guy wouldn't tell me
without a release.
I'm gonna meet with him
at the hospital tomorrow.
Sorry, son.
Are you a retired naval officer?
No, my father is.
We're meeting him here.
I'm afraid I'll have to
ask you to leave.
- Give me a break.
- It's club night.
You need to be with a retired officer.
He's on his way. He's late.
You'll have to wait for him.
You're wrong, pal. We're seated.
We'll have a draft and a margarita.
You got it.
- What are you buying me?
- I beg your pardon?
You're as stubborn as your old man.
Don't tell me you're
as cheap as he is too?
Admiral J. Jackson, retired.
You better be Dave Greene's son or I
just got myself into a hornet's nest.
That's right. Mark Greene.
This is Cynthia Hooper.
How do you do?
Your dad just called to say
he'd be late.
So, what are you drinking?
Not a drop more.
I'm late for dinner as it is.
Pleased to see you again, though.
We met your senior year.
You were considering Annapolis.
My dad was considering Annapolis.
Well, you can't blame your old man
for trying.
Turn down a flag billet
for your family...
...you want your son to
make the grade.
- What's a flag billet?
- Admiral.
His dad was in line.
Middle of his command tour.
He took himself out of the running.
Why? Didn't he wanna be admiral?
Long story.
- Put their drinks on my tab.
- You're sure you don't wanna stay?
Admiral J., nice to see you, sir.
Sorry I have to run.
I could relive the Korean conflict
for you young folks.
How's Ruth?
- She'll be home tomorrow.
- She will?
That's what I said.
Lucy and I'll drop by
when she's feeling better.
- Nice seeing you, meeting you.
- Same here.
- What can I get you, Dad?
- Not a thing.
- Something wrong?
- Why'd you say Mom's coming home?
She's had her last test.
- No, she hasn't.
- Yes, she has, Mark. Syphilis?
- What?
- You tested your mother for syphilis?
- Are the results back?
- No.
No. I stopped the whole damn thing.
Whatever gave you the idea?
I need an explanation.
What the hell do you think
of your mother?
The symptoms fit.
What the hell do you think of me?
Settle down, Dad.
Why don't you use your inhaler?
- Is your oxygen in the car?
- Some damn nerve.
If the test is so unthinkable,
what's your fear?
- You're accusing me?
- No!
He didn't mean it like that.
- I need a diagnosis.
- You need someone to blame, like always.
Take it easy, Dad.
Don't you patronize me.
There's no need for you to meddle.
Should I get your oxygen?
- Insults your mother.
- Okay, great.
Go back to Chicago and
leave us alone. I mean...
...she's going home!
Good. I'll tell that psychiatrist
she's been secretly seeing...
...not to come to the hospital.
What the hell are you talking-?
She's going to a shrink,
not a sewing circle every Thursday.
- Why would she do that?
- Mark, come on.
Or is that me meddling?
Making too much trouble?
When her life with you is
so picture-perfect!
All right, Dad. Take a breath.
Take a breath.
Where's your albuterol?
- Shall I get the oxygen?
- Yes, go!
- He's not breathing.
- Get him on the ground. Call for him.
All right. Let him down easy.
Your dad's peak flow improved to .
Has a pH of . on liters.
His PO 's . His PCO 's down to .
It won't get better.
He's a heavy smoker.
Yeah. We've got him on
Solu-Medrol IV.
Captain Greene, do you feel better?
I feel fine.
I know you've been under stress
with your wife admitted upstairs.
That's right.
That may have brought on the att*ck.
We'll keep an eye on you here
in the ER for a few hours.
- Why don't you come back later?
- Thanks.
Kind of gave us a scare.
Is Cindy with your mom?
Drove her home.
She was asleep on her feet.
You're not going to bother
your mother with this?
No. She doesn't need to know.
I'm sorry if I upset you.
- About that test for your mom?
- It's canceled.
No. Draw the blood.
You need to know.
I was treating her depression
with Paxil.
She failed to mention her hypertension.
I should let you know...
...I'm getting a neurological
consult from a colleague at UCSD.
Dr. Hemmings. She was with her
when I arrived this morning.
But I told her I agree with
Dr. Sayers' diagnosis.
Multi-infarcts dementia in
co-morbidity with her depression.
I know it's not the diagnosis
you're hoping for.
It's not about what I hope for,
it's about my mother's care.
I'm sure you've heard about how
stubborn the men are in my family.
I know it's confidential.
Your mother signed a release. You can
know about her psychiatric treatment.
If I wanna know about my mom,
I'll ask her.
Be sure you want the answers. In her
current state, she's liable to tell you.
Mark.
Mark!
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
You were gone for a long time.
- I guess I needed it.
- Yeah.
Dr. Hemmings called. She wants to
push up your meeting to : .
It's the neurologist I called in.
- She's an old friend?
- Yeah. Went to med school.
She wanted to know if I'd
be coming along.
I figured you'd want to
talk about your mom privately.
Yeah. It's about her condition.
Hey, take turns or you'll
both get a time-out.
Thank you, Josh.
They say girls are more mellow.
Please confirm that.
Don't ask me.
- You have Rachel.
- Not full-time.
I remember when Rachel was born.
We were third-year.
I was so envious of you and Jen.
You? You were the most
driven student in class.
Yeah, but you were the most together.
You knew you wanted a family
and you went for it.
And now you've lapped me.
Twice.
If I knew you were on maternity
leave, I wouldn't have called.
It was my pleasure.
I was a little taken aback
when I found out...
...that your mom's a patient of
Andrew Sayers.
He's hot stuff.
Gaining a national reputation.
I haven't been that wowed.
I'm really surprised at you, Mark.
Josh, no. Please.
We don't throw sand.
I thought the ER would be
a brief detour.
I thought for sure you'd end up
in family practice.
Really? I was that boring?
You know I didn't think that.
We were .
I was busy showing how
independent I was...
...and you were going to be
the family man.
Now here I am, and you're a cowboy.
I still haven't given up on
the idea of having a family.
Yeah. Cynthia sounded sweet.
Still know how to cut to the quick,
don't you?
You wanna hear about your mom?
Do I?
Your mom may not fully return
to the way she was.
That's gonna take some
getting used to.
How's she doing?
She was asleep when I arrived.
I owe you an apology.
No. It's your mother.
But still, I...
- It wasn't personal.
- You don't have to explain.
My dad was in the Navy too.
Chip on my shoulder's easy to read?
Plain as rank.
Strong, hard-working father-
Never there.
But you followed
in your dad's footsteps?
I wish I could tell you
it got me closer.
- Give me a hand!
- What's going on?
We gotta move your dad.
I got a mass cal coming in.
They had a chopper crash.
A CH- .
Holds a platoon?
Just had her crew aboard
and one injured.
- How many?
- Three!
- Evac's landed.
- Let's move!
Ready, one, two, three!
Ready? One, two, three.
She's got an eviscerating abdominal
wound. Get O-neg on the infuser.
BP is .
Pulse is weak and thready.
Ready? One, two, three.
- How bad are they?
- Pretty bad.
Fib!
They're gonna defibrillate.
They're gonna shock her.
I tried to pull up,
but the stick got heavy.
Fractured ankle.
The stick, it wouldn't budge.
- We were feet off the deck.
- Don't worry, son.
- Are the others okay?
- They're doing everything they can.
We pitched forward.
I couldn't pull back.
I couldn't budge the stick!
Just thank God you weren't full.
I gotta help my crew!
Settle down, son.
You did your best.
- Couldn't pull the stick.
- Sounds mechanical.
You got the best doctors and
nurses and corpsmen in the world...
...working on your crew.
Stop blaming yourself
and let them do their work.
Can you hear me, son?
Hey, buddy.
This guy's not breathing.
- He was just talking.
- No carotid pulse. Bag him.
He's crashing!
Corpsman, take over here!
It's a tension pneumo.
You're right. gauge.
Notify the surgical
and critical care unit.
Is he okay?
Good call.
- Need some help?
- Yeah, I'm prepping for an escharotomy.
- Ever done a chest tube?
- I've seen two.
Do you have staff privileges?
I'm not licensed here.
- Can you show her?
- No problem. Chest tube tray.
What Dr. Greene says,
consider it an order.
Yes, sir.
Get the gloves on. I'll assist.
You'll need a French.
Is he okay?
Should be. How about you?
Fifth intercostal space.
Mid-axillary line.
cc's of xylocaine.
That's right.
Home sweet home!
You guys were so fast.
Dinner isn't even ready!
Look at the azaleas!
They never looked so good.
I picked off all the dead ones,
like you like them.
It is so good to be back,
I'm telling you.
- Welcome home!
- Thank you!
No wonder you took a spill.
I had to start cleaning things up.
I don't know what's there.
- Look. Was this yours?
- Mr. Funny Bear.
You loved the fur off this thing.
What is this?
Not that fiasco.
You remember? You saw it in the PX,
and you begged and begged me for it.
We hung it from the ceiling
in his bedroom.
It was Dave's first tour of Viet-
Was it his first tour?
- Don't remember.
- Must've been.
Your father put you in the cockpit
before he left.
You looked at this thing every night.
Till he got home
and laughed his head off.
We got the wrong damn plane.
That's a Phantom. Dad flew A- 's.
"What's that doing in your room? "
- He wasn't angry with you.
- He tore it down.
No, you tore it down, remember?
You got a spanking.
The one he replaced,
I tore that down.
Somebody tore something down.
Anyway, I'm hungry!
I'm really sorry about dinner.
I wasn't used to your oven.
Let me make you-
Every woman's not cut out
for the kitchen.
My generation, we had to be
natural-born wives and mothers.
That doesn't sound so bad.
I think he's back.
Sex isn't enough to hold
a family together.
Dave and I got the sex part right.
Can't count on that,
if you are counting on it.
We're not counting on anything.
- We're not?
- See? She's counting on it.
- What are we talking about?
- Sex.
- Whether sex means more than sex.
- Leave me out of that conversation.
Why don't you want to talk?
- I know why. You don't have to say.
- I hope pizza's okay.
I'm not hungry.
I am so sorry.
You are a wonderful, beautiful person.
But you don't love me.
I don't know.
Then you don't.
I was an idiot to come out here
like I was part of your family.
No, no, no. It's my fault.
I should've told you.
I was just being selfish.
You mean a lot to me.
I never intended to lead you on.
I thought we were both
enjoying ourselves-
Stop. Please.
This may be new for you,
but I've heard it before.
Too many times.
So I guess I ask for it.
I never should've let it
go on so long.
You know, we should go.
I don't want to miss my plane.
- You really don't need to leave.
- Yeah, I really do.
I'll be back in Chicago in a week.
We'll talk more.
We don't have to talk.
You know, there's a lot
that's good about us together.
I mean, I feel that way.
I hope you do too.
At least I got to see the Pacific.
Ready, Mom?
Yep, I'm ready.
Put your arm around my neck.
Lean on me. Good.
No weight on that leg.
I don't know why I can't
use the walker.
Wait until the therapist gives you
your lesson. Okay?
Don't empty that.
I might need to use it again.
The nurse isn't gonna be here
for an hour.
You've gotta let Dad and I help.
I do. I am.
It's time for your pills.
I'm tired of pills.
Just take the pills, Mom.
I can't get Dad to pay attention.
He pays attention.
Yeah. In the garage.
Don't be like that.
Is it true that Dad had a sh*t
at making admiral?
Yes, of course he did.
You know that story.
Remind me.
It was that Leadbetter boy.
He was such a bully to you.
Tommy Leadbetter?
He used to b*at me up every day
in sixth grade.
You were scared of school.
I don't remember that part.
I made your father come back.
Of course-
I didn't tell him he had to, but I
knew if I wrote enough, he'd come.
That's when he took
that desk job in Hueneme?
And, you know,
he never once complained.
Dr. Black says...
...you and your father are
responsible for your own feelings.
But I know I started it.
I blamed him. I blamed you.
I didn't want a baby.
It was too soon.
We'd only dated a couple of times.
Of course, when I saw you,
I loved you.
And I tried to make up for it.
But I'd already spoiled everything
between you and your father.
And it just kept going wrong...
...no matter how much
I loved you both.
David!
David!
- What's going on?
- I don't know!
She's not in bed.
David!
- Help me! Help me!
- Help your mom.
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Oh, God! Hurry!
Dad, get the wheelchair.
Mom, what happened?
I just thought a little broth
would be nice.
We'll get you up slowly.
Be careful.
Dad, give me a hand.
On a count. One, two, three.
Easy, easy. All right.
Is your leg okay?
Oh, gosh! What if I broke it?
Slide back. There you go.
That's why you can't use that walker.
Because this can happen.
Oh, dear. I forgot to go
to the bathroom.
I'll clean up. You go ahead.
We have a non-injury accident
in the right-hand lane.
Traffic is extremely slow
on the Bay Bridge today...
...with the U.S.S. Long Beach
home-ported at North Island.
- Is that gonna hold us up?
- We' re not going on the Bay Bridge.
I heard you say we
won't be back for lunch.
That's right. No more clues.
You used to bring me down here.
There used to be something to see.
Every one of those docks
used to be full.
- Dad?
- No, thanks. I've stopped.
You what?
I gave them up for your mother.
- Since when?
- Since the hospital.
Have you seen me take a cigarette?
You smoked two packs a day
for years.
You must be going through some
heavy-duty withdrawals.
We saw the Kitty Hawk here, remember?
Yeah. It scared me.
It's huge.
I remember that flight deck.
It was like...
...standing at the edge of the earth.
Most hazardous work site there is.
What was it like working on a carrier?
Hard.
How many aircraft would you
launch in a day?
Up to in a -hour shift.
Launchings, seconds apart.
Landings, every seconds.
We worked all kind of weather...
...day and night.
Sounds intense.
Best time was
in the morning...
...before they started the engines.
I'd come up on the bridge...
...and watch the sun rise over
the flight deck and the canopies.
Ocean rolling as far as you could see.
Admiral wasn't up yet...
...complaining of the jet fuel
in his water.
Deck crew would be out working...
...on the catapults
and the arresting gear.
Ordinance guys loading up.
You knew in a minute...
...the engines would start...
...and lives would be at stake...
...for every minute
of the next hours.
Sound familiar?
Sort of.
I'm proud of what you do, son.
I'm proud of you.
Thanks for helping me get there.
Your mother's gonna be worried.