Épisode Le grand docteur Brown S01E02 - Everwood Saison 1

Lors d'un dîner en famille (Délia, Ephram et lui), Andy reçoit un appel téléphonique d'une patiente qui lui demande de venir pour une consultation, Andy accepte, laissant donc Délia et Ephram seuls.

Amy trouve un surnom pour Ephram "Bouba", mais Bright est loin de l'entendre comme ça et il s'explique avec Ephram lui disant de ne pas s'approcher trop de sa petite sœur car il est là et il veille sur elle en l'absence de Colin.

Côté école, c'est pas la joie pour Delia non plus, en effet, la fillette ne parvient pas à comprendre les méthodes de son institutrice.

Pour se racheter de la dernière fois où il a dû partir au beau milieu du repas, Andy invite ses enfants au restaurant, même restaurant dans lequel se rend la famille Abbott. Mais, de nouveau, Andy doit partir car il a reçu un coup de téléphone important, ce qui a le don de mettre Ephram furieux, de plus qu'il n'y a pas de taxi pour les ramener chez eux. Amy propose donc à Ephram de les raccompagner, ce que Harrold fait, mais tout de même à contre cœur.

Pendant la nuit, Délia fait un cauchemar et Ephram la rassure. Lorsqu’ Andy revient, Ephram et lui se disputent, le jeune homme lui reprochant de ne pas être là pour eux et de privilégier son travail à sa famille.

Le lendemain, tout le monde se retrouve au "Fall Thaw Festival". Là-bas, Ephram et Amy sont sur la grande roue et c’est là que le jeune homme se rend compte à quel point Amy tient à Colin.

Andy, quant à lui, recommence à parler à sa femme et lorsqu’il reprends ses esprits, tout le monde l’a encerclé et le regarde. De retour chez eux, Andy parle avec Ephram et lui dit que maintenant, il n’y a plus qu’eux pour élever Délia. Ephram finit par lui avouer que lui aussi voit parfois sa mère et qu’il sent de temps en temps sa présence à ses côtés.

Convoqué à l’école, Andy s’énerve contre la maîtresse de Délia car celle-ci a décrété que les garçons étaient au premier rang et les filles au dernier. Délia est émerveillée et très fière que son père prenne sa défense d’une telle manière.

Amy demande à Ephram s’il a demandé à son père pour l’opération de Colin et celui-ci lui ment en lui disant que oui et que son père à refusé. Ephram décide de faire la cuisine pour sa petite sœur et son père, et ils prennent enfin un vrai repas à trois.

{TEASER}

[Open with the interior of the Brown house. We see a painting of a doctor examining a little girl's doll for her. Camera pans out to the Browns' kitchen and dining room. Dr. Brown, Ephram, and Delia are setting the table.]

NARRATOR: The family doctor. An icon of the American experience. For generations, they've mended our wounds and warmed our hearts. In my life time, Andy Brown was just about the best example I ever knew of one. Doctor-wise, that is. As for the family half of the job title, he was a bit rough around the edges.

DR. BROWN: Okee dokee.

[Dr. Brown brings an over-cooked meatloaf to the table and sets it down by Ephram.]

DR. BROWN: Here we go.

EPHRAM: What is that?

[Delia looks at the meatloaf in slight disgust.]

DELIA: I think it's dinner.

DR. BROWN: I found Mom's old recipe book.

EPHRAM: And you cooked it?

[Delia starts laughing. Dr. Brown places a piece of meatloaf on everyone's plate.]

DR. BROWN: No, smart ass. I cooked her meatloaf. Now, come on everybody, eat up.

EPHRAM: Yeah, I think we should say grace first.

DR. BROWN: You're both half Jewish.

EPHRAM: Well, isn't there a half Jewish grace?

DR. BROWN: Quit stalling. Look, tomorrow. We'll try a restaurant in town, OK?

EPHRAM: If we're not still in the hospital.

DELIA: I have my film picked for the night.

[Delia hands the movie case to Dr. Brown.]

DR. BROWN: Ohhhh. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Excellent choice, Delia.

EPHRAM: Don't let her watch it.

DELIA: Be quiet.

DR. BROWN: Did I miss something?

EPHRAM: 8 years of raising her. She can't watch that movie. It upsets her.

DELIA: It does not.

EPHRAM: Well, not if you don't count the screams at night, and a month of sleeping on my floor.

DR. BROWN: Delia, tell the truth.

DELIA: It used to scare me. But not anymore.

EPHRAM: That's what she says every time. Like a junkie begging for more smack.

DELIA: I'm not a junkie, you're a junkie.

DR. BROWN: No one's a junkie in this house.

[Phone rings.]

DR. BROWN: Yet.

[Dr. Brown gets up to get the phone.]

DR. BROWN: Doctor Brown. Yes. [listens] Yes, I can. No, we're just finishing dinner now. I'll be right over. What's your address? OK, then. [listens again] See ya in a bit. [again listens] Will do.

[Dr. Brown hangs up the phone and walks back to the table.]

DELIA: Who was that?

DR. BROWN: Only what I've been waiting for since we moved here. My first house call.

EPHRAM: We're just finishing dinner, huh?

DR. BROWN: Well, I can't let my first house call family feel bad, Ephram. It wouldn't be very country doctorly of me now, would it? Besides, I won't be long.

DELIA: Is a knapsack country doctorly?

DR. BROWN: Good point, Delia. I need something that says country doctor. I know. An umbrella.

EPHRAM: That says "singing English nanny."

DR. BROWN: Never mind. I'll see you guys later. Remember, save me a piece of that meatloaf.

[Dr. Brown leaves the house.]

EPHRAM: Without a doubt.

[Ephram looks back at Delia.]

EPHRAM: I'll order pizza.

DELIA: Half cheese, half pepperoni.

[Ephram jumps up to get the phone.]

[Cut to the Dudley house. Dr. Brown knocks on the door.]

DR. BROWN: Mrs. Dudley, I presume.

MRS. DUDLEY: Evening, Doctor. I see you found the place all right.

DR. BROWN: It took me a little longer than I thought. Just out of curiosity, how long is Forest Lane?

MRS. DUDLEY: Fifteen miles.

[Dr. Brown chuckles.]

DR. BROWN: Where I come from, that's a turnpike.

MRS. DUDLEY: I was just about to put on some coffee, if you'd like a cup.

DR. BROWN: No, thanks.

[Dr. Brown walks into the house and closes the door. There are 5 children in the room.]

DR. BROWN: So, which one's the patient?

MRS. DUDLEY: You don't charge, right?

DR. BROWN: That's right.

MRS. DUDLEY: All of 'em.

{END OF TEASER / OPENING CREDITS / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT ONE}

[The movie is on. Dr. Brown comes home late. He turns off the TV and goes over to a sleeping Delia on the couch. Dr. Brown picks up Delia and brings her into her room and puts her to bed. Delia wakes up just as Dr. Brown is going to put the covers over her.]

DELIA: Hey, Dad.

DR. BROWN: Hey, kiddo. How was the movie?

DELIA: I tried not to watch it. Honest. But, it called out to me.

DR. BROWN: I bet.

DELIA: I don't get scared. I even watched the part where the girl gets turned into a blueberry. Which you and I both know isn't very possible. Is it?

DR. BROWN: There was one reported case in Norway in the late '60s. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. Go back to sleep.

[Dr. Brown leans over and kisses Delia on the forehead, and leaves her to go to sleep.]

[Cut to Ephram's room. Ephram is listening to his headset and reading a book. Dr. Brown is standing in the doorway.]

DR. BROWN: I'm back.

EPHRAM: Sound the trumpets.

[Ephram doesn't look up and turns the page in his book.]

DR. BROWN: I know it took longer than expected.

EPHRAM: I hadn't really noticed.

[Ephram looks over at Dr. Brown.]

EPHRAM: The door.

[Dr. Brown gets the hint and closes Ephram's bedroom door.]

[Cut to the kitchen where Dr. Brown picks up the un-eaten meatloaf on the counter and throws it away and sees the pizza that Ephram and Delia ordered with one slice in the box, leftover. Dr. Brown picks the piece up to start eating when the door slowly opens from the wind. Dr. Brown walks outside and sees the glider swaying gently in the breeze. No one is sitting in it until he walks around and Julia is now sitting on the glider. Dr. Brown sits on the glider beside her and sighs.]

JULIA: It's called a vacation, Andy. You going to spend it all cleaning?

DR. BROWN: I'm just straightening up.

JULIA: Admit it. The Great Doctor Brown can't sit still. What you need to do is settle down with a good book.

DR. BROWN: What? Like Madame Bovary? There's some light summer fair.

JULIA: How about your son?

DR. BROWN: Listen, that argument tonight was not my fault. Did you hear the way he talked to me?

JULIA: He's a teenager, Andy. Sarcasm is how they express their affections.

DR. BROWN: Well, he's got a funny way of expressing it.

JULIA: Oh, and your way isn't? You. You take one week of family vacation a year, and you spend it cleaning the garage, the kitchen...

DR. BROWN: I asked him to go out on the boat with me today. He didn't want to go, OK? I was going to teach him how to drive it.

JULIA: Teaching him something isn't the only way to get to know him.

DR. BROWN: When I was his age, I would have killed for my father teach me to drive a boat. I would have killed for us to have a boat.

JULIA: I swear to God. One day, you two are going to understand each other if it's the last thing I ever do.

DR. BROWN: Huh. Well, if that's your goal, you're going to be around a while.

[Dr. Brown looks over to the Feeney house next door, realizing there is someone there. Julia has disappeared. Nina Feeney waves at Dr. Brown.]

DR. BROWN: Hey, Nina.

NINA: Evening, Andy.

[A long lull in the conversation.]

DR. BROWN: Sometimes, I remember conversations with my wife.

NINA: And this one?

DR. BROWN: The talk we had last year. We had a house in the Hamptons. She'd take the kids for the summer. Me, I was there a total of three weeks in five years. And yourself? I assume you're not out here, talking to a deceased spouse.

NINA: No. Just enjoying the warm night.

DR. BROWN: Which is unseasonably warm, considering we had a snow storm last week.

NINA: Oh, it's the Fall Thaw.

DR. BROWN: Excuse me?

NINA: Welcome to one of Everwood's many oddities.

DR. BROWN: It's a Fall Thaw?

NINA: With a legend behind it, no less. Once a year, like clock work, we get a fall heat wave that lasts around a week or so when the town whips up a festival to celebrate it.

DR. BROWN: I gotta stop you before this gets any weirder.

NINA: Oh, you think that's weird? Last week, we got a doctor who doesn't charge anybody.

[Nina starts to get up.]

NINA: Good night, Andy.

DR. BROWN: Night, Nina.

[Cut to Everwood's Main Street. Next day. The camera pans over a banner hanging over the street reading "Everwood Fall Thaw Festival". One end of the banner is being tied to the side of Dr. Abbott's practice.]

NARRATOR: The next day as the temperature climbed; so did the town's excitement. Looking around, it was almost impossible to imagine anyone in Everwood not happy about the recent turn in temperature. Notice I said "almost."

[The camera rests on Dr. Abbott, who has just pulled up to his office and is getting out of his car. He notices the young man tying the banner up.]

DR. ABBOTT: You there! Yes, sign boy, I'm talking to you. If you're gonna hang that banner off the side of my building make sure that it doesn't chip the paint. That is Benjamin Moore Latex. It's the Rolls Royce of exterior coating.

[The guy hanging the banner looks perplexed as Dr. Brown pulls up in the background.]

DR. BROWN: Morning, Doctor. Happy Thaw!

DR. ABBOTT: You're an educated man, Doctor. Surely, you don't plan on succumbing to one of this community's more nonsensical traditions.

DR. BROWN: You gotta admit, it's a balmy day for mid-September.

DR. ABBOTT: The weather pattern we experience at this time of year is a typical Indian summer brought about by a northwesterly flow of the polar jet-stream which, coupled with our unique proximity to the mountains, turn pikes and stagnates the hottest pockets of air directly above our region. And as much as our town enjoys celebrating this anomaly, for those of us who are extra sensitive to the allergens in the air, this is not much of a fun week.

DR. BROWN: As opposed to those other weeks when you just like to party down.

DR. ABBOTT: As usual you make it difficult to hold a civil conversation with you, Doctor.

[He starts to leave.]

DR. BROWN: Thaw well!

DR. ABBOTT: [under his breath] Bite me.

[Cut to Dr. Brown's family clinic as he enters. The reception is packed with patients.]

DR. BROWN: Good morning everyone.

[They all usher their good mornings.]

EDNA: [to Dr. Brown] You're late, and this posse's getting hotter than a hooker's...

DR. BROWN: [cutting her off] ...don't finish that analogy, Edna. I haven't had my coffee yet.

[They exit towards one of the operating rooms.]

EDNA: Late night?

DR. BROWN: I answered my first house call.

EDNA: Aww. You finally busted the old cherry. Who with?

DR. BROWN: The Dudleys.

EDNA: On Forest Lane?

DR. BROWN: That's no lane. It took me half an hour to find the place, another hour and a half to examine every one of her kids.

EDNA: I hope you got some rest, 'cause we've got ourselves another packed house.

DR. BROWN: Oh, it never lets up, Edna, does it?

EDNA: Remind me and my tired feet just why it is that you are offering this thankless town free medicine?

DR. BROWN: Long answer is: I spent enough years making enough money off of other peoples' sickness. In order to swage my guilt, I wanted to do something incredibly altruistic. The short answer is: I'm nuts!

[Cut to County High. Ephram is at his locker as Amy approaches.]

AMY: OK. Give it to me.

EPHRAM: Excuse me?

AMY: Your academic update. You've been here a week. What do you think of your classes?

EPHRAM: I think they're as annoying and dull as my classes in New York. Only further west.

[Ephram closes his locker and they begin walking.]

AMY: I have to warn you. There's a move to issue the new kid a nickname.

EPHRAM: Why do I not like the direction this conversation is going?

AMY: Don't worry, it's an offensive tactic. The way I see it, at some point, as the new kid, you'll get a nickname. These labels are never kind. They're either fun or mean. Most are mean.

EPHRAM: I know. I have gym with Blackhead Davis.

AMY: See what I mean? Now, if you and I could go through some suggested nicknames, we'll have a real shot of making a fun one stick.

EPHRAM: You know, for the classic girl next door, you have a really warped mind.

AMY: Something in the water here.

EPHRAM: So, what's yours?

AMY: Me? They call me...

[Bell rings.]

AMY: (CONT'D) "Late for class."

[Amy heads off.]

AMY: (CONT'D) See you, Bubba!

EPHRAM: Bubba?

AMY: Just testing one out.

[Ephram sighs and then heads for the bathroom.]

[Cut to him checking his hair in the mirror. The doors of the three cubicles behind him simultaneously open as Bright and two of his friends exit.]

BRIGHT: Well howdy, loser!

EPHRAM: You guys choreograph the bathroom stall exit and I'm the loser?

BRIGHT: I see you're still getting cozy with my little sis. I thought I told you once she's spoken for.

EPHRAM: Spoken for? Hey Bright, the fifties called. They want their lingo back.

[Bright and his buddies chuckle and walk towards Ephram forcing him back into a wall.]

BRIGHT: As soon as Colin finds out about you, he's gonna kick your sorry ass.

EPHRAM: Well, I figure I might have a slight advantage over him. You know, seeing as I'm conscious.

[Bright puts his hand on Ephram's chest, nudging him against the wall.]

BRIGHT: Watch what you say, little man. Another comment like that, Colin's not gonna be the only one in a coma.

EPHRAM: You know, statistically, I'm not that little. But according to every chart I've ever seen, you're still a moron.

BRIGHT: Oh, you may think I'm a moron. You may be right. When it comes to my sister Amy, I'm a genius and she's playing you, dude. Soon as she gets your daddy fixing up Colin, she's not even going to be looking at you anymore. Just remember I said that.

[They exit leaving Ephram looking shattered.]

{END OF ACT ONE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT TWO}

[The scene opens on an external view of Everwood Elementary as a class bell rings.]

[Cut to Delia's classroom. She's sitting at the back of the class.]

MISS VIOLET: And that, children, is how Ronald Reagan saved the world from the evil empire.

[Delia raises her hand.]

MISS VIOLET: Yes, Delia, what is it now?

DELIA: [standing] I can't see the board as well from here. Can I move up front?

MISS VIOLET: Is there something wrong with your eyes?

DELIA: No.

MISS VIOLET: Then, why do you need to sit up front?

DELIA: To hear you better.

MISS VIOLET: Oh, you have a hearing difficulty?

DELIA: No.

MISS VIOLET: I'm sorry, Delia. I don't understand.

DELIA: I just like to sit close.

MISS VIOLET: In this class, the boys sit in the front rows and the girls sit in the other rows.

DELIA: [sarcastically] You mean the back rows.

MISS VIOLET: Yes. Now, if everyone will turn in their reading books to page 86...

[Delia raises her hand again.]

DELIA: Do we ever switch?

MISS VIOLET: Excuse me?

DELIA: Do the boys and girls ever switch?

MISS VIOLET: No.

DELIA: Then, I'd like to sit up front, please.

MISS VIOLET: I see. Well, to do that, you'd have to be a boy. You're not suggesting that you really are a boy, Delia, are you?

[Miss Violet and the kids laugh as Delia looks defeated and sits down]

MISS VIOLET: I didn't think so. And while we're at it, remove your hat. This is a classroom, not a ball-field.

[They laugh again.]

MISS VIOLET: I said, remove your hat.

[Delia stays motionless as the other kids watch her.]

MISS VIOLET: Delia.

[Delia says nothing.]

MISS VIOLET: Deeliaaaa.

[Cut to a restaurant at night.]

NARRATOR: Welcome to Gino Chang's. Everwood's Friday night culinary hotspot.

[Cut to inside the restaurant as the camera follows a middle-aged Asian man.]

NARRATOR: Gino, the restaurant's proprietor and namesake moved to town from Naples a few years back. At the time, Everwood was without a Chinese restaurant, or an Italian one. So, Gino opened both.

[Cut to the Brown family sitting at one of the tables. Dr. Brown is reading the menu.]

DR. BROWN: OK, we'll have one order of the minestrone soup, two orders of the chicken parmesan, one sweet and sour pork and a couple of egg rolls to start.

EPHRAM: I'd like to take a moment and point out that this is... hands down the weirdest restaurant we've ever been to. And we're from New York City where we're regularly served by drag queens named Frank.

DELIA: I think it's cool!

DR. BROWN: So. Who's up for going to the fall fest tomorrow?

EPHRAM: [sarcastically] Oh, I'd love to. So long as you promise to take up surgery again and lobotomize me first.

DR. BROWN: Oh, come on, Ephram, it'll be fun. There'll be hayrides and a Ferris wheel.

EPHRAM: In what universe, do hayrides and Ferris wheels translate into fun?

DELIA: Dad, what does it mean when someone takes extreme disciplinary measures?

DR. BROWN: Where'd you hear that expression?

DELIA: On TV.

EPHRAM: [probing] It means someone's in trouble.

[Dr. Brown looks at Delia puzzled.]

[Cut to Gino welcoming some new guests, Dr. Abbott and Amy.]

GINO: Bonasera. Ah senora, Doctor Abbott. Everwood's big shot top guy. How we doing tonight, huh?

DR ABBOTT: Just fine, Gino. Our regular table, please.

GINO: Ah, I'm sorry, your regular table she no available this evening.

DR. ABBOTT: What do you mean 'she no avai...'?

[Dr. Abbott spots the Brown family sitting at their regular table.]

GINO: Have no worry. I'm gonna give you a bellisimo table right in the court.

DR. ABBOTT: [interrupting] I do not want a bellisimo table, I want my regular table. As a dedicated patron of this establishment, I find it appalling you would just jettison my table without any regard whatsoever!

[Dr. Abbott turns to leave but Gino and an embarrassed Amy coax him back in.]

GINO: [chuckling] You, smarty pants, Doc. I don't know your fancy words, huh? But tonight, dessert, she's on the house. [ushering the Abbotts to another table] Avante, avante, avante senora.

[He mutters something to the Maitre-D and then lets out an exasperated sigh.]

[Cut back to the Browns.]

DR. BROWN: Hey, Ephram. How's it going with the Abbott girl?

EPHRAM: What brought that up?

DR. BROWN: I'm just curious.

EPHRAM: Well, don't be.

DR. BROWN: Well, it must be going pretty well. 'Cause she's walking over here.

[Ephram spins around and notices Amy walking over to them.]

AMY: Hey, Bubba.

EPHRAM: Ah, Dad, you remember Amy.

DR. BROWN: Of course. Hello, Amy.

AMY: Hello, Doctor Brown.

[Cut to a close up of Amy's face as the camera slowly zooms in on her.]

AMY: My boyfriend, Colin, is in a stage four coma and I was wondering if you would perhaps consider using your unique and gifted talents in neurosurgery to help awaken him from his severe head trauma... so that I can sleep with him.

DR. BROWN: I'd be glad to!

[Amy gives a satisfied but innocent smile. A glass clinks and the camera cuts to Ephram who is absolutely shocked. We cut back to the same scene again.]

EPHRAM: Ah, Dad, you remember Amy.

DR. BROWN: Hey there, Amy.

AMY: Hi. [to Delia] What's your name?

DELIA: I'm Delia. You're pretty.

[Amy just smiles. Dr. Brown's cellphone goes off and he answers it.]

DR. BROWN: Hello. Hello? This is he.

EPHRAM: [getting up] So... you're a... you're just here with your dad?

[In the background, Dr. Brown is having trouble with his phone.]

DR. BROWN: I'm sorry. I can't hear you.

AMY: [to Ephram] Yeah. How did you know?

[Dr. Brown gets up to find somewhere with better reception.]

DR. BROWN: Oh hi.

EPHRAM: He's... hard to miss.

AMY: Friday nights. Our father-daughter nights. We grab a bite to eat, then go home and watch something he's taped off of Turner Classics.

[Dr. Abbott can be seen in the background, hurriedly motioning for Amy to join him.]

EPHRAM: Sounds bitchin'.

AMY: I know it's hard to believe but he can be kind of cool... when no one's looking.

DR. ABBOTT: [in the background] Amy? Hellooo.

AMY: Anyway, I'd better get back before he combusts. Just wanted to say hi.

EPHRAM: See ya.

AMY: Yeah.

[She rejoins her father as Ephram sits back down at his table.]

DELIA: Is she your girlfriend?

EPHRAM: No.

DELIA: But you want her to be.

EPHRAM: You're about this close to knowing pain you've never known before.

[Dr. Brown ends his conversation and sits back down.]

DR. BROWN: That was my patient from the other night. I've gotta get back over there. It's an emergency.

EPHRAM: We've just ordered.

DR. BROWN: I should be back by the time you've finished, OK? Look, I'll tell you what. Here's some money for dinner. And you can use my phone to call a cab.

[Ephram doesn't look impressed.]

DR. BROWN: Can you do that, Ephram?

EPHRAM: Sure thing, Pops.

DR. BROWN: Look, I'm sorry guys. I'll make it up to you. I-I promise. I won't cook dinner for a whole week!

[Dr. Brown leaves Ephram and Delia sitting at their table.]

[Cut to later outside the restaurant. Ephram is on the cell phone.]

EPHRAM: We're not working tonight!? It took me twenty minutes just to track this number down!

[Dr. Abbott and Amy are just leaving the restaurant.]

DR. ABBOTT: Ah, now look at this. What kind of a father leaves his children in a restaurant alone?

[Amy looks sad. Then she walks up to Ephram and Delia.]

AMY: Stranded?

EPHRAM: Ah, just trying to get a taxi. Well, it turns out there's only one cabbie in town and he's taken the night off.

AMY: Mr. Randolph. He doesn't work Friday nights 'cause he calls the bingo numbers at the Catholic Church.

EPHRAM: This really is the town that time forgot.

AMY: Well, we could give you a ride home... right, Daddy?

DR. ABBOTT: [uncomfortably] Of course, we can.

[Amy tries to walk in front but Dr. Abbott grabs hold of her arm until Ephram and Delia pass.]

DR. ABBOTT: [quietly] He sits up front with me.

[Cut to the Dudley home. Dr. Brown is checking young Roger who breathes in deep.]

DR. BROWN: Good boy.

MRS. DUDLEY: It doesn't make sense. Suzy was the one with the cough.

DR. BROWN: Well, what appears to have been a case of Bronchitis is actually Bacterial Pneumococci. Which is a silly way to say Infectious Pneumonia, which is not very silly at all.

MRS. DUDLEY: He's got Pneumonia?

DR. BROWN: He does. And judging by the tightness of the quarters here, my guess is that all your kids are infected. On the off chance that they're not, I've got some vaccinations in the car. Unfortunately, I don't have any more antibiotics with me but you can give Roger a dose of Suzy's...

MRS. DUDLEY: [interrupting] ...I'm sorry I can't do that.

DR. BROWN: It's perfectly allowable, Mrs. Dudley. I can write a separate prescription for Roger and then you can pick it up tomorrow...

MRS. DUDLEY: ...I never got Suzy's medicine.

DR. BROWN: I'm sorry?

MRS. DUDLEY: Our truck's been out of commission for a few months now. I was gonna have my sister drive me to the drugstore in town. She doesn't get back until the next Tuesday.

DR. BROWN: Mrs. Dudley, your son doesn't need antibiotics on Tuesday. He needs them now.

MRS. DUDLEY: You said yourself that Suzy's cough was mild. So I thought it could wait.

DR. BROWN: Well, it can't wait the night. Not unless you wanna spend tomorrow at the hospital.

[Dr. Brown sighs and then realizes what he has to do.]

DR. BROWN: OK. Get your kids ready. We're gonna find the nearest all-night pharmacy.

MRS. DUDLEY: Doctor Brown, I can't let you do that.

DR. BROWN: You have to.

MRS. DUDLEY: Why?

DR. BROWN: Because your children are sick. Because I should've diagnosed their sickness properly days ago. Because I have a car and you don't. But mostly because... I'm your doctor. Now, come on.

[Cut to the Abbott car pulling up at the Brown house. Delia, Ephram and Amy get out.]

DELIA: Thanks for the ride, Doctor Abbott.

AMY: [to Ephram] Um, the Thaw Festival's tomorrow. I was wondering if you're going.

DELIA: [at the door] Ephram.

EPHRAM: [to Delia] Just a second. [to Amy] I was thinking about going. I-I hear they have hayrides and Ferris wheels.

AMY: But did you know they also have a horseshoe throwing competition?

DELIA: [impatiently] Ephram!

EPHRAM: I said, just a second! [to Amy] Little sisters, you know. But, yeah, ah, no, I-I was thinking about going to the festival. Of the... thaw. That came out wrong.

AMY: Two o'clock.

[She turns to leave as Dr. Abbott beeps the car horn. Delia is still standing on the porch. Ephram waves to Amy then turns to Delia.]

DELIA: Ephram!

EPHRAM: WHAT!?

DELIA: We're locked out.

[He turns to flag the Abbotts down but they're already up the street.]

[Cut to inside the Abbott home. Dr. Abbott and Amy are just arriving.]

DR. ABBOTT: Over my dead and decaying corpse you're going to Thaw Fest with that boy!

AMY: I am not going with him. I'm just meeting him there. And, since when do you care who I go to Thaw Fest with?

DR. ABBOTT: Since you started asking future parolees to attend with you.

AMY: You don't know him! This is so unfair.

DR. ABBOTT: Well in certain parent-child conflicts, fairness is irrelevant.

AMY: Why is it always the parent that always gets to decide the relevancy of fairness?

[Mayor Rose Abbott, mother to Bright and Amy Abbbott as well as husband to Dr. Harold Abbott Junior, is in the lounge listening to the conversation while working on some papers.]

ROSE: An excellent question, if I do say so myself.

DR. ABBOTT: Hello, dear.

AMY: Mom, Dad is being EXCRUCIATING!

DR. ABBOTT: Excruciating literally means to feel the pain of crucifixion. While my law may be difficult at times, I think we can both agree that Jesus had it a bit tougher.

[Amy starts walking up the stairs.]

AMY: He didn't live here.

DR. ABBOTT: Well. Now. Where are you go...? W-We haven't even got to, got to the movie half of the evening yet. It's your favorite. Repeat viewing of The Red Shoes.

[Amy's gone. Dr. Abbott looks at his wife.]

DR. ABBOTT: Oh, don't look at me like that. Like you're gonna overrule me.

ROSE: I don't need to. You're gonna rescind your own ruling. Our daughter hasn't had a moment's fun since Colin's accident. And right now, if she wanted to go to that festival with Eminem, I'd let her do it.

DR. ABBOTT: Rose, Rose, do you know who this boy is? He's the son of that-that faux Marcus Welby... oh, oh you'll be interested to know. We had another five cancellations today. "Just feeling better, Dr. Abbott", they all say. Yeah give me a break. Like Maryanne Waddell's Biliary Cirrhosis just healed itself? Come on. They're all going across the street for some free medicine. And how can I compete with that?

ROSE: We've had this conversation upteen times, Harold. This isn't about that doctor or his son or-or even about free medicine. You know what this is about.

DR. ABBOTT: This is not about my mother. I couldn't care less what that battle axe does. Her working there is just another one of her attempts meant to embarrass me and it'll prove just as ineffective as all the others.

[Rose walks up, gives him a kiss and heads upstairs.]

ROSE: Good night, Harold.

[Cut to Delia's classroom. Miss Violet is writing on the blackboard. Then, she notices Delia.]

MISS VIOLET: Delia Brown! What did I tell you about hats in class? Hmmm?

DELIA: [bored] No hats in class.

MISS VIOLET: That's right.

[Miss Violet begins storming up to Delia, chanting "No hats in class". As she walks closer, she begins expanding and turning purple. Delia becomes alert.]

DELIA: [panicking] Miss Violet, you're turning VIOLET!

[Miss Violet is still chanting with the class joining her. Delia begins screaming but doesn't mouth the words.]

DELIA: [off camera] SHE'S GONNA EXPLODE!!! SHE'S GONNA EXPLODE!!!

[Cut to Delia's bedroom. She's sitting up in bed screaming. Ephram comes running in.]

EPHRAM: Delia, what's wrong?

DELIA: [yelling] Miss Violet's gonna explode!

EPHRAM: Hey, shh shh. Nobody's gonna explode.

DELIA: [still panicked] Where's Dad? I want Dad!

EPHRAM: He'll be home soon. Here, lie down. OK?

[Ephram tucks her back in and turns to leave. Delia has calmed down.]

DELIA: [softly] Ephram?

EPHRAM: Yes.

DELIA: Will you just stay with me for a little while?

[Ephram looks irritated but gives in.]

EPHRAM: Move over.

[He gets into bed with her.]

[Fade to a scene later where Ephram is sitting on the coach waiting for his father. Dr. Brown arrives home. He walks into the kitchen.]

EPHRAM: Where have you been?

DR. BROWN: I was stuck at the Dudleys. Why? What's the matter? Is everything OK?

EPHRAM: No. Everything's not OK. Your daughter had a nightmare tonight.

DR. BROWN: How is she?

EPHRAM: She's fine now. Got her back to sleep about thirty minutes ago.

DR. BROWN: It was that movie, wasn't it? I should've made sure she didn't see it.

[Ephram starts to get angry.]

EPHRAM: You know, for someone who was once cited by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the greatest minds in America, it amazes me sometimes how clueless you are. You really think this was about a movie?

DR. BROWN: Well, why don't you enlighten me, Ephram, as to what it IS about because that's just what I need tonight. Another lecture from my fifteen-year-old son!

EPHRAM: Do not talk to me the way you used to talk to Mom. I'm not your wife.

DR. BROWN: What the hell is that supposed to mean?

EPHRAM: Do you think I wanna be having this conversation with you? I didn't marry you. I never agreed to pick up your slack!

DR. BROWN: Look, Ephram, I am sorry, I couldn't take care of Delia tonight but I was treating a seven year old boy who could hardly breathe!

EPHRAM: Oh, you win. Seven-year-old boys who can't breathe trump little girls with nightmares.

DR. BROWN: Yes. In my profession, they do!

EPHRAM: In the medical profession or in the crappy father one?

[Dr. Brown gets upset.]

DR. BROWN: RIGHT, THAT IS ENOUGH!!! As of this second, you and that mouth of yours are gonna start showing me some respect or I...

EPHRAM: [holding his hands up revealing a bandage on his right hand] ...Or what?

DR. BROWN: What happened to your hand?

EPHRAM: It's tonight's punch line. I sliced it while trying to pry open a window to this place. Which happened after Delia and I couldn't get a ride home which happened after you left us alone at dinner for the second night this week.

DR. BROWN: Well, let me take a look at it.

EPHRAM: It's fine.

[Dr. Brown tries to take a look at the hand.]

DR. BROWN: Let me just see...

EPHRAM: ...DON'T... touch me!

[Ephram walks around.]

EPHRAM: [sarcastically] The Great Doctor Brown. That's what Mom and I used to call you. You always thought it was endearing but it wasn't. It was our own private joke. Will The Great Doctor Brown be here for dinner? Will The Great Doctor Brown be joining us this weekend? Don't you see? You're still that guy. You'll always be that guy. It doesn't matter if it's the Dudleys on Forest Lane or some rich lady on Park Avenue, they'll always come first. The only difference is, this time, Mom's not here to cover for you. At least I've got her. Who's Delia get?

[Ephram walks out leaving an emotionally battered Dr. Brown in the kitchen.]

{END OF ACT TWO / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT THREE}

[Cut to images of the majestic mountains followed by a lake. The camera cuts then pans down to a view of the festival from above. The Brown family arrives at the festival. Ephram turns around to face Delia.]

EPHRAM: Now, what'd we talk about in the car?

DELIA: For the next three hours, I don't know you.

EPHRAM: Good.

[Edna and Irv notice Dr. Brown and head his way.]

EDNA: Doctor doodle doo.

DR. BROWN: Hey, Edna.

EDNA: You remember my main squeeze Irv?

DR. BROWN: Sure. Good to see you, Irv.

IRV: Hello, Doctor. Hello there, Delia.

DELIA: Hey, Mr. Irv.

[A town resident approaches Dr. Brown]

THURMAN: Doc Brown. Doc Brown, I'm Thurman Revere from Glenn Oaks Drive.

[Dr. Brown shakes Thurman's hand.]

DR. BROWN: Oh, hi, Thurman. How are ya?

THURMAN: Now listen, I have a-a cyst just above my backside.

DR. BROWN: Well, Thurman, actually I'm here with my family and I'd-I'd prefer...

THURMAN: [cutting him off] ...Just a quick look see, I mean, it'll only take a second.

DR. BROWN: Well, Thurman, you know I'd-I'd...

EDNA: Go ahead, Doc, we'll take care of the munchkin for a bit.

DR. BROWN: Well, all right.

[Thurman proceeds to show his cyst right away but Dr. Brown ushers him away.]

DR. BROWN: No, not here.

[Cut to Ephram walking through some crowds looking for Amy. He spots her and heads for her.]

EPHRAM: Hey.

AMY: Hey, there you are.

[She is standing next to a large ice sculpture of a man wearing a felt hat. The statue is slowly melting.]

AMY: [introducing them] Ephram Brown, the melting man. Melting man, Ephram Brown.

EPHRAM: He's awfully quiet.

AMY: He's not having the best day. I think it might be his last.

EPHRAM: Everyone just... watches him melt?

AMY: Oh no, it's a contest. You bet when the hat's gonna hit the ground. Mr. Lawrence over there has won three years in a row.

EPHRAM: Oh, I think it's safe to say we have a few hours yet.

AMY: Here's the deal. My dad agreed that I could hang with you today under one condition.

EPHRAM: Yeah? What's that?

[Bright comes over to the pair.]

BRIGHT: How goes it.. Bone-lick?

[Ephram looks pissed.]

AMY: HE has to hang with us.

EPHRAM: No offense, Amy, but he's really my least favorite thing about you.

BRIGHT: Yeah? Well, you're really my least favorite thing about you.

EPHRAM: Dude, you've really gotta work on the insults.

[Bright ignores him and puts his arms around them to usher them around.]

BRIGHT: So. What are we gonna do first? We've got... face painting over there. No, let's try the silent auction over here.

[Bright forces Ephram and Amy away.]

[Cut to the melting man where a bit of his lower arm falls off and the crowd gasps.]

[Cut to an ice cream stand. Edna walks up and notices Dr. Abbott pickily ordering his ice cream. She becomes slightly agitated. He has his back to her.]

DR. ABBOTT: ...vanilla and chocolate frozen yogurt in a cup with a spoon and a half of sprinkles distributed evenly over the topping. You should've rinsed that sprinkle spoon if it's been in the nut bin...

EDNA: [interrupting] Buddy, how 'bout you finish ordering before the thaw's gone?

[Dr. Abbott turns around and notices Edna then takes his hat off.]

DR. ABBOTT: Hello, Mother.

EDNA: How's it hanging, Junior?

DR. ABBOTT: With the plethora of greetings in the English language, I find it hard to believe that's the best you can come up with.

EDNA: I find it hard to believe you'd use the word "plethora."

[Edna moves toward the ice-cream seller.]

EDNA: Two scoops of chocolate on a cone, please.

[Edna turns back to Dr. Abbott.]

EDNA: You've got your panties in a bunch that we're gonna steal all your patients? DON'T WORRY. There's enough hoity toities around these parts who don't wanna wait all day in the same room with folks from the wrong side of the mountain.

DR. ABBOTT: I do not have my panties in a bunch. If you must know, I'm concerned for you.

EDNA: Concerned?

DR. ABBOTT: You are working with a severely atilt human being. Considering you've had a few title bouts with reality yourself, I don't much recommend the exposure.

EDNA: What are these bouts you speak of?

DR. ABBOTT: Oh, how about the time you decided to leap your motorbike over four cars down the middle of Main Street?

EDNA: That was a fundraiser for Merna Sander's goiter operation.

DR. ABBOTT: How about this-this drunken bar brawl last month with Edgar Cage?

EDNA: Edgar had it coming. He called me a puss.

DR. ABBOTT: Your sophomoric stunts aside, the-the truth is, Mother, you've given no thought to the fact that you might be driving yourself right into an early grave.

EDNA: Oh, you'd like that, too, wouldn't ya? So you can say to my corpse, "I told you so."

DR. ABBOTT: You're presuming I'd 'attend' your funeral.

EDNA: You know what your trouble is, Junior? Your whole life you've wanted this town to see you the same way they saw your father: wise, generous, big hearted. Trouble is, people can't see what's not there.

DR. ABBOTT: As usual, I'm bathed in your maternal warmth and kindness.

[Dr. Abbott walks away. Edna ponders their conversation for a moment.]

[Camera pans up over the festival showing a backdrop of a green hill until the Ferris wheel comes into view. The Ferris wheel stops with Ephram and Amy on the apex.]

EPHRAM: I'm surprised Bright didn't shove himself up here with us.

AMY: I knew he wouldn't go near this thing. He's definitely afraid of heights.

EPHRAM: So? What do people do up here aside from wait for an early demise?

[Ephram stares at Amy who says nothing then realizes.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) And ask 'really' dumb questions.

AMY: Actually, I brought you up here to ask you something really important. Grover.

EPHRAM: Grover.

AMY: It's my nickname. I always loved Grover as a kid. I know for most kids, it's all "Winnie the Pooh" or "Hello Kitty", or occasionally, "Strawberry Shortcake" but, for me, life was about a little blue Muppet named Grover.

EPHRAM: Well, Grover was a very underrated Muppet.

AMY: Colin and Bright used to torment me for hours by stealing my Grover doll and hiding him. And then one day Colin refused to give me the doll back unless I kissed him first. Colin that is, not Grover, who I've kissed many many times. So I closed my eyes, Colin closed his. We both leaned forward... and I kicked him right in the nuts. Colin that is, not Grover who didn't have nuts. At least none that I was aware of. Anyway, Colin screamed and doubled over. My parents raced, rushed straight into the room and when they asked what happened, Colin wouldn't tell them what happened. All he would say was that Grover did it. And suddenly, somehow, I had developed my first crush. On Colin, that is. Not Grover.

[Ephram starts to get uncomfortable.]

AMY: (CONT'D) Look, I know we haven't talked about this since that trip to Denver, so...

EPHRAM: You want me to ask my dad to help Colin?

AMY: If you could just talk to him. I mean, I know there's probably nothing he can do but...

EPHRAM: Yeah, sure, Amy. I'll ask him. No problem.

AMY: Thank you.

[Ephram still looks uncomfortable and gives a reluctant smile.]

[Cut to Dr. Brown walking along the stalls.]

BRENDA: Yoo-hoo, Doctor Brown. Care to try for a wish?

[She's running a wishing booth.]

DR. BROWN: Anything for my premiere patient.

BRENDA: Oh, such a doll, Doctor. Now all you do is drop a quarter in the tank. If it lands in one of those shot glasses, then you get your wish. It costs fifty cents, not counting the twenty five cents in the tank, of course, and all the money goes to benefit the girls dance troupe that I teach, the Everwood Swans. We have a recital coming up this fall.

[Dr. Brown drops a quarter in the tank and bends down to watch it drop. Through the glass, he notices Julia standing in the background, watching him. Dr. Brown gets up and smiles, then heads for Julia and kisses her. Brenda just stares at Dr. Brown.]

DR. BROWN: You know it's funny?

JULIA: Hmm.

DR. BROWN: I didn't get the coin in the glass but I still got my wish.

JULIA: You're lucky that way.

[A brief silence ensues.]

JULIA: (CONT'D) Aren't you gonna tell me why I'm here?

DR. BROWN: I wanted to see you. To know that you're more than just a memory. And to tell you that I kept my promise. You didn't keep yours. You promised me you'd be here... in Everwood. But, you're not.

JULIA: I've got bad news for you, Andy, you're gonna be fine.

DR. BROWN: Fine is not great.

JULIA: You've had enough of "Great". It isn't all it's cracked up to be. Fine is real. Now come on... say it.

DR. BROWN: Say what?

JULIA: Goodbye. That's why you wanted to see me, isn't it? To say goodbye.

DR. BROWN: No, no. Not to you. Just to... to this!

JULIA: I understand.

DR. BROWN: You do?

JULIA: Besides, I was never the reason.

DR. BROWN: I don't get it.

JULIA: "He" was, Andy. You came here so you could know "him".

DR. BROWN: Know "who"?

[The camera stops on Dr. Brown's face as he snaps out of it and realizes that half the town is watching his performance including his embarrassed children as well as the Abbott children, Dr. Abbott, Edna, and Irv. Delia walks up to him downtrodden.]

DELIA: Let's go home, Dad.

[They make their way through the crowd.]

{END OF ACT THREE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}

{ACT FOUR}

[Cut to the black vehicle pulling up outside their house. The Browns remain inside, looking sad.]

DR. BROWN: So... what did everyone think of the festival?

[Dr. Brown and Delia chuckle.]

EPHRAM: It's not funny.

DR. BROWN: It's a little funny.

[Dr. Brown and Delia chuckle again and Ephram joins in. Soon all three are bursting into laughter. Delia seizes the opportunity and hands her father a note.]

DR. BROWN: [reading it] What's this?

DELIA: It's a note from school. I'm in "big trouble".

[They continue laughing.]

DELIA: See you inside.

[She jumps out of the vehicle. Dr. Brown and Ephram continue laughing.]

DR. BROWN: She's a crafty, that one.

[Their laughter slowly subsides and they just sit in silence.]

EPHRAM: I see her too, sometimes. Mom, I mean. Not like you do. I don't talk to her or anything. More like I-I feel her, with us, w-when we're all having dinner or when there's a song playing on the radio that she used to like. I-I just know she's there.

[Dr. Brown just ponders for a moment.]

DR. BROWN: Ephram, I wish I could tell you everything's gonna be OK. I know that's what I'm supposed to say. But the truth is, I don't know what's gonna happen to us. But what I do know is that all we have now is each other. I need your help raising your sister. I can't do it alone. She gets us.

[Ephram just considers it for a moment then gives a slight nod and hops out.]

[Cut to the main street of Everwood the following day. Both doctors' vehicles pull up and they get out.]

DR. ABBOTT: Morning, Doctor.

DR. BROWN: Morning.

DR. ABBOTT: What's the matter? Didn't have time for your usual bowl of sarcasm this morning?

DR. BROWN: Actually, I wanted to say thank you for giving my son and daughter a ride home the other night. That was very kind of you.

DR. ABBOTT: You're welcome. Since you seem hell bent on becoming a permanent fixture around here, I suppose I should give you a piece of advice.

DR. BROWN: And that is?

DR. ABBOTT: When I first joined my father's practice, I too went out of my way to become available to all people at all times. I soon realized that exhausting myself was no good for anyone least of all for my family who needed me the most. Being a small town physician is a marathon, Doctor, not sprint. And if one of us is going to win this race, you are going to have to stay in it.

[Dr. Abbott begins walking to his office.]

DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) And behold the people...

[He motions toward the long line of patients waiting for his arrival.]

DR. ABBOTT: ...who had every attribute of dogs, except loyalty.

[He opens his door and the patients begin filing in.]

DR. ABBOTT: Go on everyone. Inside. Welcome back. All is forgiven.

[Cut to the Brown family clinic. Edna is sitting on a chair with her feet up reading a magazine. Dr. Brown enters the silent clinic.]

EDNA: You hear that? That was the sound of a pin dropping.

DR. BROWN: After what happened yesterday, I'm surprised you're still here, Edna.

EDNA: You're paying me. We're in this foxhole together, compadre. Don't worry about everyone else. They'll come around. They always do. It's sort of the nature of this place, you're up one day, you're down the next. In the meantime, we have some excellent periodicals.

[Dr. Brown picks up a fishing magazine and reads as Mrs. Dudley enters the clinic.]

MRS. DUDLEY: Good morning, Doctor.

DR. BROWN: Mrs. Dudley, what a nice surprise. How are you?

MRS. DUDLEY: Just fine. Thank you. I wanted to stop by and take the opportunity to say thank you again for the other night.

DR. BROWN: Well, that's quite a long way just to... [realizes] How did you get here?

MRS. DUDLEY: I heard about what happened yesterday. And I wanted to tell you that my family, well, like a lot of other families around here, we don't have much. But, now we have a doctor. I know it was a tragedy that brought you here sir, for that I am truly sorry. But, I'm not sorry you came.

DR. BROWN: Neither am I, Mrs. Dudley.

MRS. DUDLEY: You take care now.

[She starts to leave.]

EDNA: Well, at least offer her a ride home.

[Dr. Brown races after Mrs. Dudley.]

DR. BROWN: Mrs. Dudley!

[Cut to County High. Ephram is in the library reading a book. Amy approaches.]

AMY: How's it going there, Ham?

EPHRAM: Ham?

AMY: It's your new nickname. Welcome to it.

EPHRAM: My nickname's a deli item.

AMY: See, that's what everyone will think. But we'll know it's really short for this.

[She hands him a book, Hamlet by William Shakespeare. It's a newly revised edition.]

AMY: See, you look just like Hamlet.

EPHRAM: Hamlet does not look like me.

AMY: No, no. You can't deny it. Everwood finally has its own dark prince.

[He just smiles.]

AMY: You wanna grab some lunch?

EPHRAM: Before we get lunch, we should talk.

AMY: You asked your father, didn't you?

[They just stare at each other for a moment.]

EPHRAM: H-He said no. I mean you can't really begrudge the guy. He's trying to get out of the brain business, start a new life.

AMY: I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry, it was silly for me to ask.

EPHRAM: I am sorry, Amy.

[She just stares at the floor, obviously heartbroken.]

EPHRAM: (CONT'D) You still wanna get lunch?

AMY: You know, I think I'm just gonna hang back here a while and look over some notes before class.

[Ephram gets the picture and bundles his books up. When he walks away, Amy starts sobbing in her chair. Ephram feels bad for lying to her but continues walking away.]

[Cut to Delia's classroom. Her father is in a parent-teacher conference with Miss Violet.]

MISS VIOLET: Your daughter has a mind of her own, Doctor Brown. She repeatedly interrupts my lessons with questions that make very little sense. This in addition to her inappropriate apparel...

[The camera pans back and Dr. Brown starts whispering to Delia.]

DR. BROWN: [whispering] I've never been to a parent-teacher thingee. Am I allowed to speak?

DELIA: [whispering] You have to raise your hand.

[He raises his hand just as Miss Violet notices.]

MISS VIOLET: Excuse me, Doctor Brown!

DR. BROWN: I'm sorry, just out of curiosity Miss Violet, why do the boys sit in front?

MISS VIOLET: Very simple. Boys are rowdier.

DR. BROWN: Rowdier?

MISS VIOLET: They cause more of a fuss. By having them sit in the front, I can monitor their behavior more closely.

DR. BROWN: So, because you think that girls are genetically less rowdy, you relegate them to the back?

MISS VIOLET: The term relegate is...

DR. BROWN: ...entirely appropriate. And as for Delia having a mind of her own, just whose mind is she supposed to have?

MISS VIOLET: I think you misunderstood my point.

DR. BROWN: No, I don't think that I did.

MISS VIOLET: Delia, perhaps you should step outside while your father and I...

[Delia gets up to leave but her father pulls her back.]

DR. BROWN: No, no, no, she got to be here for the bad part. I want her to hear what I'm about to say. Now, my daughter's been through a very traumatic year and she's come through the other side of it remarkably well. I'd like to take more credit for that, but I can't. She's the product of a mother who taught her about strength, courage and independence from an early age. My job is to make sure she doesn't forget those lessons. Now, she will sit wherever you tell her to sit. But as long as she's polite about it, she can ask all the questions she wants. And I'd get used to those baseball caps.

[Delia smiles.]

DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) And as for you and me? You can keep calling me in here. But next time, my daughter better have really done something wrong or you are going to have one rowdy father on your hands.

[Miss Violet is getting angry.]

MI