Épisode Culpabilité S03E11 - Everwood Saison 3

[Fade in – Scene from Act 4 from “Need to Know” – Amy and Ephram are fighting in his studio.]

IRV: (VOICE-OVER) Previously on Everwood…

EPHRAM: I lied to you. I actually went to see Madison’s band play.

AMY: I don’t understand why-why wouldn’t you tell me before you went and tell me now?

EPHRAM: It felt wrong not telling you and I felt like I was maybe lying to you.

AMY: You were lying. You did lie.

EPHRAM: I know and-and I’m sorry.

AMY: You felt guilty because you knew what you did was wrong so you told me because you didn’t want to feel guilty any more which means not only are you a liar, but you’re a selfish liar.

[Amy takes off toward the door to leave. Ephram gets up to try and stop her.]

AMY: (CONT'D) You know what, Ephram, don’t call me, I can’t deal with this right now.

[Cut to Scene from Act Three of “Shoot the Moon” – Edna and Irv are talking about Phase Three.]

IRV: Phase Three for me – I gotta sit still. I want you to sit still with me.

EDNA: I gotta work, Harper.

[Cut to Scene from Act Three of “The Reflex” – Dr. Brown and Amanda are at the arcade talking.]

DR. BROWN: What’s happening here?

AMANDA: I’m willing to see you to see if I was going crazy or if there was something here.

DR. BROWN: We can’t.

[Cut to Scene from Act Three of “Need to Know” – Dr. Brown and Dr. Abbott are talking in the reception area of their practice.]

DR. ABBOTT: This is not a dalliance. She’s married. This is unethical. It is-It is unforgivable. You have to stay away from her.

[Cut to Scene from Act Four of “Need to Know” – Dr. Brown and Amanda are kissing inside the Hayes house.]

{END PREVIOUSLY ON EVERWOOD}

[Cut to Ephram drives up and Amy is walking from her car toward the school. Ephram runs up to catch her carrying Starbucks coffee.]

EPHRAM: Hey.

AMY: Hey.

EPHRAM: I thought I was picking you up this morning.

AMY: I never said that.

EPHRAM: Oh. I-I must have just figured. Uh, you want a coffee? Extra vanilla.

AMY: Thank you.

[Amy takes it and keeps walking.]

EPHRAM: So did you get my text message about hanging out tonight? I thought that maybe we could order a pizza, or something.

[Amy stops and faces him.]

AMY: Ephram, I know I accepted your apology. And I told you that I didn’t want to break up, but I’m just not ready for this.

EPHRAM: Okay.

AMY: Like this coffee. This coffee is desperate coffee. It doesn’t make up for the fact that you lied to me. It doesn’t make me forget what you did, so just don’t do it. Okay?

EPHRAM: I was… I was just trying.

AMY: I know. But it’s not helping.

[Pippi runs up so excited to Amy.]

PIPPI: Amy!! Omigod. You;re not gonna believe what just happened! I still can’t.

AMY: What happened?

PIPPI: Mrs. Baxworth just posted the list for Las Fille mal Gardee. Any guess who’s playing Lise? Me!

EPHRAM: Is that good?

PIPPI: Hello? It’s the lead!

EPHRAM: So, it’s good.

Amy: That’s awesome, Pippi. Congratulations.

PIPPI: It’s only because you didn’t audition this year, which was so cool of you.

AMY: Oh, that’s not true. You are super talented.

PIPPI: Are you kidding? I totally suck! But my mom is gonna pass out when I tell her, so I’m like, forever in your debt. Seriously, my firstborn – totally yours.

AMY: Oh, that-that’s really unnecessary.

[Pippi gives Amy a huge hug and takes off.]

PIPPI: Thank you so much!

EPHRAM: Wow. Who knew you could make somebody so happy by not doing something. Did you want that part?

AMY: I didn’t audition, so obviously I didn’t want it.

EPHRAM: Well, is she any good?

AMY: She’ll be fine.

[The bell rings.]

AMY: (CONT'D) I gotta go. My class is on the other side of the school. (hands him the coffee) Umm, I can’t carry this. Sorry.

EPHRAM: Okay, so I’ll just . . .

[Amy racing away toward the building.]

EPHRAM (CONT’D): See you never.

{END OF TEASER / OPENING CREDITS / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT ONE}

[Fade in – Dr. Brown’s office – Two doctors surround John Hayes. Dr. Brown and Amanda are there as well.]

DOCTOR #1: Our program’s too demanding for a lot of patients, and with such limited space we have to be very selective. But Mr. Hayes’ responsiveness is remarkable. And you say he was never capable of blink coherent responses before a month ago?

AMANDA: Uh, there was nothing. Not until Dr. Brown came in the picture.

DR. BROWN: Please, all I did was direct. You and John did the heavy lifting.

DOCTOR #2: I have to say, Dr. Brown, your reputation was one thing but this is beyond.

[Doctor #1 checks John’s eyes.]

DOCTOR #1: His progress indicates not only the right attitude and discipline needed to undergo our treatment protocol, but also real potential. His medication history especially . . .

[The Doctor continues, Dr. Brown looks at Amanda and we quickly cut to Amanda’s face, framed by a pillow. Amanda pulls Dr. Brown into a kiss. Just as quickly, we cut back to the doctors with John and Amanda.]

DR. BROWN: Yes. That’s why I asked you down here to see him for yourselves, and to explain the treatment program to Mrs. Hayes.

DOCTOR #1: I don’t want to underestimate the aggressiveness of our approach. But there’s real potential here.

[Another quick cut to Dr. Brown is starting to take off Amanda’s shirt and kisses her shoulder. Back to Dr. Brown's office, with John, Amanda, him, and the two doctors.]

DOCTOR #1: (CONT'D) You understand, your husband could regain significant motor function . . . speech, movement.

AMANDA: How long would he be gone?

DOCTOR #1: Every case is different. We’ve had patients discontinue care after as little as six or eight weeks, others continued to show progress for a year or more.

AMANDA: A year.

[Amanda looks to Dr. Brown after the doctor says that and Dr. Brown looks at her looking like he doesn’t feel good. A quick cut to Dr. Brown and Amanda are in a heated kiss as they roll on the bed. And back to the doctors and the Hayes.]

AMANDA: I . . . I’m not really sure it matters what I think. It’s not up to me.

[Amanda leans down to John.]

AMANDA: (CONT'D) Do you want to do this? It could be horrible, it might not work at all. But if it’s what you want . . .

[John distinctly blinks twice in agreement.]

AMANDA: (CONT'D) Okay. . . He’s in. What do we do next?

DOCTOR #1: We’ll take care of everything. We can have him transported to our facility within the week.

AMANDA: Okay then.

[Amanda looks to Andy.]

DR. BROWN: Okay.

[Cut to Harper House – Irv is in bed and Edna comes bustling out of the bathroom with wet hair dressed for work.]

EDNA: I know - - I coulda held back and left you more hot water but, sue me, I like to floss in the shower.

IRV: It doesn’t matter.

[Irv just lays there. Edna is busy getting ready.]

EDNA: Hey, do you think you could pick up a fresh bag of salt at Ernie’s. It’s supposed to snow again. I don’t want to snap a femur on the way to the car.

IRV: Sure.

[Edna notices Irv’s depressed state from the mirror while fixing her hair.]

EDNA: Hey, what’s up with you? Don’t tell me you’re comin’ down with somethin’.

IRV: I’m fine. Just in no hurry to get up.

EDNA: Hey, how ‘bout a nice quiet dinner tonight? Just you and me. You can make that paella recipe you were bunkerbusting about. We spent 30 bucks on saffron. We might as well get our yellow’s worth. Pretty sure I can make it worth your while.

IRV: Aren’t you gonna be late for work?

[Edna climbs into bed next to Irv.]

EDNA: Well, I could take 10 minutes for some quality time if you’re up for it.

IRV: No, that’s okay. You go ahead.

[Irv turns away from Edna. Edna looks at Irv with concern.]

[Cut to Peak County High Classroom – The bell rings, class is over. Hannah and Amy are in class together.]

AMY: So I have good news. My mom finally said yes to the “Sex and the City” marathon TBS version, but I consider it a small win. Can you still come tonight?

[Hannah gives Amy a look.]

AMY: (CONT'D) What?

[They get up to leave class and walk toward Hannah’s locker.]

HANNAH: Okay, so here’s a question and I don’t mean to cuss, but what the heck is going on?

AMY: What are you talking about? Nothing.

HANNAH: We’ve hung out the last three weeks almost everyday just the two of us. Now I know I’m a huge party girl. Tons of fun.

AMY: Shut up.

HANNAH: But you have a boyfriend – a cute one - goes by the name of Ephram.

AMY: I know and I see plenty of Ephram – in the morning, lunch, between classes.

HANNAH: Sounds like real quality time.

AMY: Yeah, well, it’s enough for now. Besides you need me more than he does.

HANNAH: Don’t start.

[They start to walk down the hall.]

AMY: I’m not starting, but it’s true. I know you don’t like to talk about the whole Huntington’s thing. Someone’s gotta make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

[Hannah stops walking and turns to face Amy.]

HANNAH: Amy, let it go. I either have the gene or I don’t and you are avoiding the issue.

AMY: What issue?

HANNAH: (sighs) The Ephram issue. Okay, you can either decide to forgive him or you can tell him you need more time to mull, but you can’t just avoid him forever.

AMY: I know. I know. I know. I just…. Every time I think about him going to see Madison, I want to punch him in the face.

HANNAH: Okay, well maybe talking would be a better approach. Certainly, less violent.

[Amy just looks at Hannah.]

HANNAH: (CONT'D) You don’t have to break up over this.

AMY: What if I want to?

HANNAH: You don’t want to.

AMY: How do you know?

HANNAH: Because you want to punch him in the face. You don’t bother punching people you don’t care about.

[Hannah starts walking down the hall again. Amy follows.]

AMY: I don’t want to punch you in the face.

HANNAH: I know, that’s because you love me.

[They laugh.]

[Cut to Hartman Medical – Edna is working behind the desk.]

MS. WILKINS: Umm, excuse me. My appointment was for ten minutes ago.

EDNA: So? You wait longer than that to get your hair done. Dr. Hartman will be with you as soon as he can.

MS. WILKINS: I don’t even know why you call them appointments. They’re more like approximations.

EDNA: I told you the ETA. The doc will be out to lance your hemorrhoids in a minute. So find a doughnut, sit on it, and approximate yourself out of my air space.

[Dr. Hartman comes up front and sees Edna and Ms. Wilkin’s argument.]

DR. HARTMAN: Edna, could you give me a hand here, for a sec.

[Edna gets up and goes toward Dr. Hartman’s office. Dr. Hartman looks at Mrs. Wilkins.]

DR. HARTMAN: (CONT'D) I’ll be right with you, Ms. Wilkins.

[Cut to Edna walking into Dr. Hartman’s office. Dr. Hartman follows and sits behind his desk.]

DR. HARTMAN: So Edna, how’s it going? Good day? Lunch order come in okay?

EDNA: Dandy.

DR. HARTMAN: Because I know sometimes they forget to bring the dressing for the salad and there is nothing worse than a dry cobb. Am I right? I figured seeing as how you just broadcast Ms. Wilkins ass update across the lobby, you might be having a day. You want to tell me what’s up.

EDNA: Nope. I appreciate the concern, Doc, but I’m not big on sharing.

DR. HARTMAN: That’s cool. You’re a private person, I can respect that. But you’d be surprised, a lot of people think I’m a pretty great guy to talk to. I’m all kinds of empathetic.

EDNA: Do I look like I’m interested? Because I’m not.

DR. HARTMAN: Y’know sometimes, a hug breaks down the barriers of communication.

[Dr. Hartman gets up and walks around his desk to hug Edna.]

EDNA: Don’t even think about it.

DR. HARTMAN: Oh, I’ll do it and I’ll keep doing it. Come on, feel the love.

[Edna backs away from Dr. Hartman.]

EDNA: No. It’s-It’s Irv. Ever since I came back to work, he’s been a heap of funk. It’s like waking up beside a banana slug every morning.

DR. HARTMAN: That sounds fun. Do you think it’s a serious depression?

EDNA: Nah… He’s just bored out of his skull. I pissed all over his world tour retirement plan, now he’s a man without a mission.

DR. HARTMAN: So you find him another reason for him to stay.

EDNA: Oh, sure, I just go down to the hardware store and…

DR. HARTMAN: I mean, you help him find his bliss.

EDNA: His what now?

DR. HARTMAN: What is he passionate about? What would rocks his vote, gets him all revved up? Find what that is and you bring it to Everwood. But hey, I’m just throwing linguini against the wall, seeing if it sticks. You don’t have to listen to what I say.

[Edna thinks about what Dr. Hartman said.]

[Cut to Dr. Brown’s office – Dr. Brown is popping another antacid. There is a knock on his office door. Amanda walks in. Dr. Abbott sees from the lobby Amanda talking to Dr. Brown.]

AMANDA: Hey, there.

DR. BROWN: Hey. Everything okay?

AMANDA: I think I should ask you that question. You look like crap.

DR. BROWN: Oh, it’s just a little heartburn that’s all.

[Dr. Brown sees Dr. Abbott eyeing them talking. Dr. Brown closes the door to his office for privacy.]

DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) So has John left yet?

AMANDA: Three days ago. First class transportation, I tell ya. The van looked like something out of Buck Rogers.

DR. BROWN: And are you feeling good about it?

AMANDA: I think so. It’s a little strange. He hasn’t been out of my sight for more than a few hours in five years. I keep thinking I need to get him a drink or give him his pills.

[They just look at each other not knowing what to say.]

AMANDA: (CONT'D) Uh, anyway, I, uh, just came by to give you my contact information in case you hear anything from the clinic or you just wanted to get in touch.

[Amanda pulls out a piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to Dr. Brown.]

DR. BROWN: Where are you going?

AMANDA: Hawaii. I know, it’s such a cliché, but I’ve never been to Kauai, and I thought now would be a good time. Charlie’s gonna stay with my mom.

DR. BROWN: Well, good for you. You deserve it and Kauai is beautiful. You’ll love it there.

AMANDA: So I’ve heard. You wanna come?

[Dr. Brown just looks at her.]

AMANDA: (CONT'D) Kidding. I know, it was a mistake, it never should’ve happened. I’m sorry.

DR. BROWN: No. No. No, I’m sorry. I-I-I’ve…

[They search for something to say next.]

AMANDA: How fast we are even a worse cliché than Hawaii.

DR. BROWN: I know. I know.

AMANDA: Oh, Andy, we don’t need to do this. We’re better than this conversation, don’t you think?

DR. BROWN: Definitely.

AMANDA: Good. Uh, so I guess, this is goodbye.

DR. BROWN: Well, I’ll see you when you get back.

AMANDA: No really. I mean, why would you?

DR. BROWN: Well, I mean, when John gets back from the clinic.

AMANDA: But you’re not his doctor. Any more. Your part’s over, isn’t it? There’s really no reason to …

DR. BROWN: That’s true. I-I-I never thought of that.

AMANDA: I’ll see you around, Andy.

[Amanda gives Dr. Brown a kiss on the lips, smiles and leaves. Dr. Brown stands there upset for letting her go.]

{END OF ACT ONE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT TWO}

[Fade in – Breakroom at County Clerk’s office – Bright is looking for something to eat in the refrigerator and Ephram is pacing trying to talk to Bright.]

EPHRAM: So what do you do all day here, dude?

BRIGHT: See those pamphlets right there.

EPHRAM: You wrote ‘em.

BRIGHT: No, I filed ‘em. And when the receipts come in from the printers that made ‘em, I file those too.

EPHRAM: I’m noticing a trend.

BRIGHT: Hey, it’s what I do here 9 to 5. Except for that half an hour break I get where I get to talk to my co-workers about how their filing’s going.

EPHRAM: You actually just made high school sound fun.

[Bright laughs cutting into some cake.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) At least you got cake.

BRIGHT: Oh, yeah. Sure you don’t want some?

EPHRAM: Yeah, I’m not feeling very festive.

BRIGHT: Amy still got you in the freezer?

EPHRAM: I can’t get through. Ever since I told her about Madison.

BRIGHT: Which I told you not to do.

EPHRAM: Which doesn’t help you reminding me of that every 5 minutes. Anyway it’s moved beyond sucks. It’s like we-we talk, but we don’t talk. I-I-I know how her classes are going, but I have no idea how she’s doing.

BRIGHT: Have you tried buying her an expensive gift?

EPHRAM: Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to do it.

BRIGHT: Maybe you and I have a different definition of expensive. Look, Amy likes to hold a grudge. When she was 12, I snapped her first training bra, she acted like an only child for 6 months. Kept it up through Christmas.

EPHRAM: Great. Only 5 months to go.

BRIGHT: That’s how long it’s been.

EPHRAM: Yeah.

BRIGHT: Okay, this is bad, but at least we know what we’re up against. Can I be honest with you?

EPHRAM: Sure.

BRIGHT: Talking like mean honest. Sounds like she’s over it. Okay, there’s this more than just pissed off punishment here. Y’know a girl does this and keeps it up for more than 10 days, she’s… seems like she phasing you out.

EPHRAM: I know. I know, you’re right.

[Ephram gets up and paces.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) You’re right, but what do I do? I mean, how… How do I phase back in?

BRIGHT: Face time. Lots of it.

EPHRAM: That’s the problem. I can’t get an appointment with the girl.

BRIGHT: Okay, here’s the plan. You come over for dinner.

EPHRAM: Yeah, she’s just dying to invite me.

BRIGHT: No. No. No, you come as my guest, dude. Okay. You’re guaranteed to be at the table for the 20 minutes it takes to put away a roasted chicken. And you chew with your mouth closed, yo-you chat up the parents. Do the perfect boyfriend thing and she’s going to be melting by Jell-o.

EPHRAM: Yeah, I can do that.

BRIGHT: You missed me, didn’t you? Come on a little bit.

EPHRAM: Shut up, dude.

[Bright laughs and continues eating his cake.]

[Cut to Harper House – Edna and Irv are coming downstairs.]

IRV: I don’t know why you just don’t tell me what we’re doing down here?

EDNA: It’s called a surprise, Harper, now play along.

[They get to the bottom of the steps and stand in front of some double doors.]

EDNA: (CONT'D) I know I threw a wrench in your Phase Three. You had your heart set on going to the ends of the earth to find the perfect place to write. So I thought, I would bring the perfect place to write to Everwood.

[Edna opens the door to a newly renovated office.]

IRV: What the devil?

EDNA: It’s not looking out over the Med, but I can bring you some hummus and some pita bread. Maybe even wear a mini toga.

[Irv walks and looks around bewildered.]

IRV: Uh, I don’t know what to say.

EDNA: How about “Thanks, you fabulous, hunk of a woman, you.” Look, you have been yacking about a place to write for years and the time to do it in. Now you’ve got nothing but time, I figured the least I could do is supply the place.

IRV: But how could you afford all of this?

EDNA: Dipped into my savings. It’s what it’s there for right.

[Irv laughs.]

IRV: I don’t know what to… Thank you.

EDNA: You’re welcome.

[Edna walks over to Irv.]

EDNA: (CONT'D) Now, sit your butt down and crank out that great American novel.

[Irv sits down at the desk and Edna gives him a kiss on the head.]

EDNA: (CONT'D) That’s an order. You write ‘em, I’ll read ‘em.

[Edna leaves and turns to smile at Irv. Irv just sits at his desk taking it all in.]

[Cut to Abbott House – Dr. Abbott, Rose, Bright, Ephram, and Amy are sitting at the dining room table eating dinner.]

DR. ABBOTT: Just wonderful, dear.

[Rose smiles at Dr. Abbott. Bright moans in agreement.]

BRIGHT: (mumbles) No, it’s really good.

[Bright motions to Ephram to talk. Amy is sitting at the table fuming from Bright having Ephram over for dinner.]

EPHRAM: It’s an excellent bid, Mrs. Abbott.

ROSE: Well, thank you, Ephram. I would have made more, had I known you were coming.

BRIGHT: My bad. I’m the one who invited him. Sort of spur of the moment decision.

EPHRAM: That’s right.

AMY: Kinda rude.

BRIGHT: Oh, please, like Hannah’s not here every other night of the week.

ROSE: Oh, now, hush. There’s plenty of room for everyone. And this potato salad made a lovely addition to the meal, Ephram.

DR. ABBOTT: Yes, the perfect accompaniment to chicken cordon bleu.

EPHRAM: Thank you. I know that Amy loves it. It’s your favorite side dish, right?

AMY: With sandwiches.

DR. ABBOTT: Mmm, Amy, I hear they announced the roles for the dance recital this year. Mrs. Taylor came in bustling with excitement. Lord knows why, her daughter can barely manage a two step.

ROSE: Well, make sure you let us know when tickets go on sale. I have to get some from Grandma and PopPop.

AMY: Don’t bother, I’m not in it this year.

ROSE: Oh, why’s that?

AMY: Didn’t audition. Got a little consumed and, uh, it doesn’t matter.

EPHRAM: Yeah, yeah, I mean, you can still probably be in it if you wanted to, right? One of the swans or something.

AMY: It’s not Swan Lake.

EPHRAM: Oh, okay, I guess I just figured there were swans in every ballet. Seems that way, right?

AMY: Well, you obviously had seen that many ballets, probably because you’re too busy seeing all the rock concerts out there.

BRIGHT: Damn, Amy, get over it already. How many times does my boy have to apologize to you?

AMY: Oh your boy? Whatever.

DR. ABBOTT: Apologize for what?

BRIGHT: Madison wasn’t even there. Hey, besides, it wasn’t even his idea to go. I’m the one…

DR. ABBOTT: Madison. Wh-What about Madison?

BRIGHT: Me and Ephram went to see her band at this coffee shop a couple of weeks ago. Don’t worry, I left early so I could get to work. Responsible.

AMY: So it was your idea?

EPHRAM: Yeah, i-it was his idea.

AMY: It doesn’t make it better, Ephram

EPHRAM: Oh, seriously.

AMY: No, because obviously it was like this-this thing that needed to be discussed. Which means it was important and it wasn’t just some spontaneous bad decision, but a premeditated bad decision.

EPHRAM: Okay, obviously you want to be mad about this.

AMY: I don’t want to be mad at you, Ephram. I am mad at you. There is nothing voluntary about my feelings in this situation.

BRIGHT: You could volunteer to be cool. I mean, you don’t have to be such a chick about it.

AMY: Shut up, Bright.

BRIGHT: You, shut up, Amy.

DR. ABBOTT: All right, enough.

AMY: I am so glad that you guys are friends again, ‘cause now it’s like two idiots for the price of one.

ROSE: Amy?

EPHRAM: I-I’m tryin’, all right, I’m here. I was trying to work it out – make an effort.

AMY: Well, I didn’t ask you to come here, so why don’t you just go make an effort with Madison.

[Amy leaves the table mad.]

DR. ABBOTT: Th-There’s certainly no reason for him to do that.

BRIGHT: At least you got face time. Y’know.

[Cut to Dr. Brown’s office – Dr. Brown is popping more antacids. He looks like he feels horrible. Dr. Abbott comes rushing into Dr. Brown’s office upset.]

DR. ABBOTT: Did you know that Ephram went to see Madison a few weeks ago?

DR. BROWN: Good morning to you, too.

DR. ABBOTT: So…did you know?

DR. BROWN: YES!! She wasn’t there.

DR. ABBOTT: Yes, so I heard. And did you also know in some twisted fit of no doubt guilt fueled confessional revelry, the boy actually told Amy about said indiscretion. A fact which she found quite unpalatable.

DR. BROWN: I’m not interested in 20 questions today, Harold? What’s your point?

DR. ABBOTT: Why wasn’t I informed about this development?

DR. BROWN: Because nothing happened. You want me to email every little thing that goes on in my family to you.

DR. ABBOTT: Yes. Considering what you’ve already dragged me into, I think I deserve every detail as long as our children remain involved, I want to know about anything that might affect the well-being of my family. Or of this practice for that matter.

DR. BROWN: Don’t go there, Harold?

DR. ABBOTT: I saw Amanda Hayes in your office yesterday. Were there problems with John’s departure?

DR. BROWN: She gave me her contact information. She’s leaving town for awhile.

DR. ABBOTT: Why would you need that information? His consults with you are completed. You are no longer…

DR. BROWN: You know what, this has nothing to do with you. Get the hell out of my office.

DR. ABBOTT: It has everything to do with me. Are you aware that any sexual conduct that occurs concurrent with the patient-physician relationship constitutes sexual misconduct and is unethical. Not just in the eyes of God, but in policies developed by the AMA.

DR. BROWN: I don’t know what you’re more worried about God or the AMA, I’m just curious?

DR. ABBOTT: Oh, make jokes, Doctor, I lost my practice for lesser evils than yours. You better believe that the AMA does not object, this town will. They will turn their collective backs on you in a heartbeat – not to mention what they will say about her.

DR. BROWN: WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? (coughs horribly) I BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS PRACTICE AS A FAVOR, YOU ARROGANT… (pain overruns Dr. Brown and he falls to the floor.)

[Dr. Abbott rushes to his side. He sees blood in Dr. Brown’s tissue that he coughed in.]

DR. ABBOTT: LOUISE, CALL 911. WE NEED AN AMBULANCE.

{END OF ACT TWO / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT THREE}

[Fade in – Dr. Brown’s in a hospital bed. Dr. Abbott is off to the side. A Gastroenterologist is looking over his chart.]

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: . . . Well your H. pylori result is negative, so that didn’t cause the ulcer, and there’s no indication of cancer in the area. Have you been overdoing the NSAIDS lately for any reason?

DR BROWN: A few more aspirin maybe.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: Okay. The scope looked good - - no other compromised vessels, no adherent clots. So feeling more stressed out than usual?

DR. BROWN: Define usual.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: Well, if that’s the case , you might want to take a look at some lifestyle changes, keep this from happening again. I’m gonna send a nurse by later to talk to you about all that.

DR. BROWN: No. No. I think I’ll just, I’ll just go and…

[Dr. Brown starts to get out of the bed. He is in pain. He stops and gets back into bed.]

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: Maybe not just yet.

DR. BROWN: Yeah.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: I want you to stick around for a few more hours, make sure there are no more signs of active bleeding. And you shouldn’t drive.

DR. ABBOTT: No, I’ll-I’ll take him home.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST: All right, then. I’ll stop by again later. Give a holler if you’re in any discomfort.

[The Gastroenterologist leaves and Dr. Hartman comes in with a huge amount of “Get Well” balloons.

DR. HARTMAN: Knock, knock. Is there a doctor in the house?

DR. ABBOTT: Oh, lord. I’ll be on my cell phone.

[Dr. Abbott leaves the room.]

DR. BROWN: Thanks, Harold.

[Dr. Hartman comes closer to Dr. Brown’s bed.]

DR. HARTMAN: How ya doing, pal? I gotta tell you, when I first heard the ambulance, I figured it was of one of your patients and when I saw it was you they were wheeling out, my heart just about jumped into my throat.

DR. BROWN: Well, that’s very sweet of you - -

DR. HARTMAN: So can I do anything for you? Run an errand, walk your dog?

DR. BROWN: Well, I’m currently dog – less, so . . .

DR. HARTMAN: Bummer. You should really think about getting one. Pets have been proven to lower your blood pressure. Oh, and yoga!

DR. BROWN: Yoga.

DR. HARTMAN: Come on, deep breath in.

[Dr. Hartman is demonstrating. He takes a deep breath.]

DR. HARTMAN: (CONT'D) And say it with me. Oooommmm….

DR. BROWN: God, please let this be a hallucination from the drugs.

DR. HARTMAN: Ooooommmm….

[Dr. Hartman points at Dr. Brown to do it.]

DR. HARTMAN and DR. BROWN: Ooooommmm…

[Cut to the Harper House – Edna rushes in. Irv is standing by the fireplace in the dining room.]

EDNA: Hey. Just give me a couple of minutes to change and we can go. We’ll just stop by for a quick visit. I talked to his nurse, doesn’t sound too serious.

IRV: That’s good.

EDNA: So how’d it go at the office today, did you bang out a couple new chapters?

IRV: I didn’t go in today. Won’t be going tomorrow either.

EDNA: Why not? I thought you wanted to write.

[Irv sits down at the dining table.]

IRV: I never worked in an office a day in my life. I can’t figure out how you thought I’d want to start now.

EDNA: Is that right? Well, why the hell didn’t you say so in the first place?

IRV: I was too shocked. Mostly by how you just don’t seem to get it – get me. Not like I thought you did.

EDNA: Well, you know what, you can take a long walk off a short cliff. I’m done.

[Edna starts to walk away.]

IRV: Good.

[Edna stops and turns back.]

EDNA: There’s just no making you happy. You want to be miserable. Be miserable. I gave you that place because I wanted you to have something special. You don’t want it – no skin off my backside.

IRV: I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t ask you for a damn thing but to go away with me and you couldn’t do that.

EDNA: And I explained why.

IRV: Sure, because you have everything you want right here. A job you like, something to do everyday, family, but I’m just in a holding pattern for now. Frankly, I don’t know if it’s worth it any more.

EDNA: Doesn’t feel worth it to me. Drive your own damn self.

[Edna storms off and Irv sits mad at the table.]

[Cut to the Brown house – Ephram is on the phone talking to Dr. Brown.]

EPHRAM: Are you sure you don’t want me to come get you? (listens) Okay, then I’ll, uh, be here when Delia gets home from school. (listens) See you tonight. (listens) Feel better, Dad.

[Ephram hangs up the cell phone. He looks out the window and sees Amy heading over to Nina’s. He rushes out the door while putting on a coat.]

EPHRAM: Hey.

[Amy stops.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) My dad’s in the hospital.

AMY: Omigod.

EPHRAM: Uh, he’s-he’s fine. It’s just an ulcer or something, he should be home by tonight.

AMY: Well that’s good.

EPHRAM: Yeah.

AMY: Well, uh, Hannah and I are studying for finals so I should probably go.

EPHRAM: Oh. You want to come by after?

AMY: Umm… Well, we’re probably going to be going pretty late, so… I don’t know.

EPHRAM: Okay, umm… Well, if it’s gonna be like this, you might as well just break up with me. I mean, I can’t tell the difference. Y-You can’t keep punishing me like this, Amy. I mean you can, but I don’t know how much more I can take.

AMY: I know.

EPHRAM: It was one mistake.

AMY: I know, but your one mistake made me realize all of my mistakes.

EPHRAM: What do you mean?

AMY: I gave up everything for this relationship, Ephram. I mean did you know that I was going to do paper this year. Mrs. Yarborough wanted me to be Feature Editor and I also wanted to join Youth and Government and Dance. I-I really really wanted to dance.

EPRHAM: Why didn’t you?

AMY: Because I didn’t think I could. I didn’t think I would have time to do all of those things and still maintain this – us.

EPHRAM: I-I don’t get it. I-I didn’t give up piano or…

AMY: Exactly, but do you really think we would where we are right now if both of us were trying to maintain the insane schedule that you keep.

EPHRAM: I-I don’t understand.

AMY: One of us had to make a sacrifice, Ephram, and it was me. I mean, think about it. I study in your garage until you’re done practicing and then we hang out. I only applied to colleges around you.

EPHRAM: I never asked you to do any of it.

AMY: I know you didn’t. I did it all by myself because I thought it would be worth it. I never thought I would wind up resenting you for it.

EPHRAM: Oh, but now you do.

[Amy doesn’t answer.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) That’s not my fault, Amy.

AMY: I never said it was.

EPHRAM: But now you’re-you’re-you’re taking it out on me as if this is all something I asked you to do.

AMY: You didn’t ask me, but you didn’t mind either. I mean, you must have noticed that 85% of our time together we spend in your garage, but it was easier for you, so guess you just didn’t bother to suggest anything else or at least… I don’t know, Ephram, thank me for it.

EPHRAM: This isn’t about Madison at all is it?

AMY: It is though. Because that one thing that you did made me see the other side. The side the side that you tried to tell me when you wanted me to apply to Princeton – the “what if we don’t work out” side. And as it stands now, Ephram, if we don’t work out, I have nothing and-and you have everything.

EPHRAM: I wouldn’t have you.

[They just look at each other.]

EPHRAM: Great. Great.

AMY: I should go study.

EPHRAM: Yeah. Yeah, you-you do that.

[Ephram walks back to his house sad and Amy then walks toward Nina’s house.]

[Cut to Dr. Brown’s hospital room – Dr. Brown is sleeping in the bed and Amanda is sitting in the chair next to the bed watching him. Dr. Brown wakes up.]

DR. BROWN: Shouldn’t you be lying somewhere on a beach right about now?

AMANDA: I’m pretty sure, I’d still be on the plane at this point.

DR. BROWN: How’d you know I was here?

AMANDA: I went by to drop off your CDs, Louise filled me in on all of the drama.

DR. BROWN: Hmmm…

AMANDA: You don’t do anything, half-assed do ya?

DR. BROWN: Uh, uh…. You know you really shouldn’t be here. You should try and catch the next flight out.

AMANDA: I know. It’s funny though for the first time in five years I can leave town and for the first time I don’t want to.

DR. BROWN: Did anybody see you come in?

AMANDA: Don’t worry. I came in the back way disguised as a candy striper. Cute getup, you’d like it.

DR. BROWN: Hmm…

AMANDA: I’m visiting a friend in the hospital, Andy. Not even Everwood is that starved for gossip.

DR. BROWN: Listen, Amanda, I… I haven’t been able to eat, I haven’t been able to sleep. My head has been throbbing ever since… Now I’m lying in a hospital bed with a bleeding ulcer.

AMANDA: So what is that? I did this to you.

DR. BROWN: No. No.

AMANDA: Oh, don’t back peddle now. Courage of your conviction’s and all.

DR. BROWN: We made a mistake. Every time I see you, all I want to do is make it again, but I can’t. And if Dr. Abbott came by right now and saw you here.

AMANDA: Got it. Say no more. I wanted to make sure you were okay, Andy. That’s the only reason I came by.

[Amanda gets up to leave and as she is opening the door to the room, Ephram meets her there. Ephram was coming for a visit.] EPHRAM: (to Amanda) Hey.

[Amanda smiles and walks out the room.]

DR. BROWN: You didn’t have to come all the way down here.

EPHRAM: I know. Delia’s with Nina who says, “Feel better” and sent cookies.

[Dr. Brown motions for “Where are the cookies?”]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) Well, I-I finished them on the way here.

DR. BROWN: Oh…

[Ephram stares at his father.]

DR. BROWN: It’s not what you think?

EPHRAM: Well, I don’t think anything. She’s married, right?

DR. BROWN: Listen, Ephram…

EPHRAM: No. Forget I said anything. Not my business.

DR. BROWN: No, it’s not that. It’s just that I… I have nothing good to say. I… I’ve never been one for do as I say not as I do. But right now, I just… I don’t want to disappoint you.

EPHRAM: Well, we can’t disappoint each other, remember? New rule - no judgments.

DR. BROWN: So what happened to you? You drove all the way to a hospital just to get out of the house, can’t be good.

EPHRAM: Amy’s still pissed.

[Ephram walks closer to the bed and leans against a sink.]

DR. BROWN: Ahh…

EPHRAM: You know I really think it might be over with us. I seriously wish I was the one in the hospital bed right now.

DR. BROWN: Because bleeding ulcers are so fun.

EPHRAM: No, because then I’d know where she stood. Y’know, something like this happens and you can tell right away how people really feel about you. Hospital’s really bring out the best in people. Well, maybe not the best, but the truth. I mean, you-you see somebody you love like this…

DR. BROWN: And they forget they were angry with you.

EPHRAM: Yeah, but more than that, you remember how much they mean to you. Or you discover how much they mean to you.

DR. BROWN: When did you get so smart?

EPHRAM: I’m a senior, Dad. It’s time.

[They laugh and smile.]

{END OF ACT THREE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT FOUR} [Fade in – Abbott kitchen – Hannah comes into the kitchen looking tired and frustrated. Bright is sitting at the island in the kitchen reading the comic section of the newspaper.]

HANNAH: You’ve been sitting there for almost two hours. You either read very slowly or you really like “Cathy.”

BRIGHT: Please tell me you guys aren’t still studying. It’s not healthy.

[Hannah pulls some food out of the refrigerator and brings them to the island and starts to make a sandwich across from Bright.]

HANNAH: We’re not studying so much as analyzing and overanalyzing and crying. Well, she’s doing most of the crying. I’m all about being the shoulder.

BRIGHT: They break up?

HANNAH: Not yet, but I think they might. Which means you and I should do something.

BRIGHT: Oh, yeah. Uh, like what?

HANNAH: I don’t know. Stop them.

BRIGHT: Good plan. Does it in involve like a Mission: Impossible hanging from the ceiling part or…

HANNAH: Maybe. Still working out the details.

[Bright gets up and goes and stands by Hannah watching her make herself a sandwich.]

BRIGHT: Why do you care so much anyways? I mean, like yeah, it would suck for Amy and Ephram but they’d get over it eventually. And then he’d be able to do stuff again without having to ask his wife for permission all the time. I mean seriously don’t you ever wish that Amy didn’t have a boyfriend.

HANNAH: I just want her to be happy. The truth is they kind of give me hope. I mean, what they have is kinda what we all want, isn’t it?

BRIGHT: I guess. Except for I kinda like going solo, y’know. Keeps the options open.

HANNAH: Don’t you want to find someone special eventually? Someone that makes you feel like… Well, you like you knew each other before you even met.

BRIGHT: Like in a past life?

[Hannah looks at him.]

BRIGHT: (CONT'D) I’m totally down with reincarnation.

HANNAH: No, I mean, finding that one person that you click with; that you belong with. You find them and when you’re together it’s …

BRIGHT: It’s what?

HANNAH: It’s like Amy and Ephram.

BRIGHT: Damn, that is a good looking sandwich. Let me have half.

[Bright heads for the sandwich and Hannah pulls it away.]

HANNAH: Make your own.

[Hannah leaves and heads upstairs leaving Bright in the kitchen.]

[Cut to Harper house – Irv is sitting outside on a bench in the front yard and Edna walks up.]

EDNA: Well, at least you made it out of the house today.

IRV: Come here.

[Irv pats the seat next to him. Edna goes and sits next to him.]

EDNA: You finally gonna make up. Because I’d rather do that upstairs.

IRV: I love you as much now as ever.

EDNA: Me too.

IRV: I think we need a break. We’ve be at each other for weeks now. The rhythms off some how and I can’t figure out how to put it back on track – not the way it is. I don’t want to wind up resenting you, Edna. Right now, I do.

[Edna is speechless. She is taking in what Irv is saying.]

EDNA: So, are we talking a temporary thing here or-or…

[Irv shrugs his shoulders and takes Edna’s hand and holds it. They just sit there in silence.]

[Cut to Ephram’s studio – Ephram is playing keys on the piano looking gloomy. There is a knock on the door.]

EPHRAM: Yeah.

[Amy enters and Ephram jumps up from the piano bench.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) Hey.

AMY: Hi. How’s your dad?

EPHRAM: Uh, he’s good. He’s fine. I mean, he’s back home.

AMY: Good.

EPHRAM: So are we gonna do this now? Break up.

AMY: Actually, I came by to say I’m sorry.

EPHRAM: Oh. Oh.

AMY: Yeah, you were right, Ephram. You didn’t ask me to do any of that stuff. I did it by myself, so now I have to undo it by myself.

EPHRAM: Okay. Uh… What does that mean exactly?

AMY: I need to get more of my life back. See what happens with us when I do that. I mean, there’s still an entire semester of senior year left, there’s a lot I can do, right?

EPHRAM: Yeah. Yeah, that sounds great.

AMY: But it’s gonna change things. You need to know that.

EPHRAM: Yeah, uh.. Wh-what would it change?

[Amy walks over the couch and sits down. Ephram sits in the chair across from Amy.]

AMY: It’s gonna mean less time. You’d be shocked if you knew how much thought went into our free time together. You think it’s just been free. I have graphs in my room figuring how to maximize our together time. I go to sleep two hours later every night than I used to.

EPHRAM: What?

AMY: You think I can actually get real studying done when you’re banging on that piano. Come on now.

EPHRAM: I guess you just made it look too easy.

AMY: Yeah. I’m good at that. But I’m over that phase now. And unless you can find more time in your schedule…

EPHRAM: I could do that.

AMY: We’ll see.

[Ephram gets up and sits beside Amy on the couch.]

EPHRAM: I’m gonna do better, Amy. I swear. I’m-I’m-I’m gonna pick it up on my end. I’ll do graphs or whatever it takes because I don’t want to lose you.

AMY: Me neither.

[They smile at each other looking relieved.]

AMY: (CONT'D) I should go study. Last final’s tomorrow.

EPHRAM: Yeah, you could study here, if you want. Or I-I could study wherever you want.

AMY (laughs): I’ll call you later.

[Amy gets up and leaves. Ephram sits back on the couch feeling that everything is going to be okay.]

[Cut to Brown house – The door bell rings. Dr. Brown answers it. Amanda is at the door.]

DR. BROWN: I only know one person as persistent as you and that would be me so I have no right to judge.

AMANDA: I’m not here to apologize.

DR. BROWN: Oh?

[Amanda walks into the house and into the living room. Dr. Brown follows.]

AMANDA: No. I’ve apologize about 10 times to you this week. Really not my style. Frankly I’m over it. So we have a situation here. But what I need from you is a little more honesty and a little less bleeding ulcer.

DR. BROWN: Okay. What do you want to know?

AMANDA: What do you got?

DR. BROWN: Well, let’s see. I’ve become very fond of a married woman. And it’s bad enough that she’s married, but…

AMANDA: But her husband is a stroke victim?

DR. BROWN: And he was my patient. Which makes it even messier.

[Amanda sits on the edge of the couch. Dr. Brown tends to the fire.]

AMANDA: So what if he wasn’t sick? What if he was well and kicking and able to beat you to a bloody pulp for stealing my heart away? Then what?

DR. BROWN: Well, it would still be wrong.

AMANDA: Well, duh, Andy, nobody’s arguing that we got the moral high ground here, but it wouldn’t be so shocking, would it? Affairs happen, marriages end, people fall out of love.

DR. BROWN: Not this way. Wouldn’t be a fair fight.

AMANDA: Nothing about my life is fair.

[Dr. Brown sits on the edge of the chair and talks face to face with Amanda.]

DR. BROWN: Listen, I have been on the other end of this. Julia had an affair when we were married. Not that I didn’t deserve it, but I know how it feels and I just… I just don’t want to be that guy. I hate that guy.

AMANDA: In theory, I do too. Only problem is, in practice, I’m falling in love with the other guy, so… So just strip it all away for a second. I’m single, you’re single, we met, we’ve done this dance that we’ve been doing. What do you feel? How do you feel about me? ‘Cause if you don’t feel anything, I’ll go. I will. No more apologies, no more coming back. But if you do… Do ya?

DR. BROWN: Yes, I do.

[They continue to stair at each other.]