The Black Box (2014) s01e08 Episode Script
Free Will
Previously on "Black Box" Ruby: Oh, my son is the best.
I'm the lucky one.
He's a he's a catch.
Yes.
He is.
Yeah.
How was dinner with the in-laws? It was lovely.
You were bored to tears.
My son deserves a wife who thinks he is the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Delilah: Hi, there.
I was just about to text you again.
Get out.
You know where I live? In the Hotel Mirabella.
You know, it's a charming hotel with a quiet bar.
Join me for a drink.
[Breathes deeply.]
[Vehicle approaches, brakes squeak.]
[Car door closes.]
[Door opens.]
Danny? Danny? I saw your truck outside.
Danny? Danny! [Gunshot, body thuds.]
[Breathing deeply.]
[Clock chimes.]
It is after much thought that I decided to take my mother's life.
I loved her dearly, and I'm very upset over having done this.
Let there be no doubt in your mind that I loved this woman with all my heart.
I can't pinpoint any specific reason why I killed her.
I am not in control of my emotions.
[Clock ticking.]
[Exhales deeply.]
[Horns honking.]
[Breathing heavily.]
[Ringing.]
[Voice-mail beeps.]
Kate: Hi, you've reached Dr.
Catherine Black.
Please leave your number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks.
[Beep.]
[Exhales sharply.]
[Sirens wail in distance.]
[Keys jingle, door opens.]
Hey.
Hey.
Everything okay? Yeah.
You, uh You woke me up.
It's 9:00.
What?! - Didn't your alarm go off? - No, my, uh My phone, it's it's that my alarm is on my phone.
I called you over and over last night and this morning.
Did you? I It must be in my lab coat.
I was worried about you.
I didn't know what to think after the dinner with my parents.
[Door opens.]
I'm sorry.
I was, uh I was distracted.
My my patient was in critical condition.
I'm sorry.
Couldn't have taken one night off? No, I'm a doctor.
Of course you know that.
I can't take a night off.
My parents don't.
It was embarrassing.
I get it, I do.
I [Sighs.]
I understand.
And my night ended badly.
Yeah? What happened? You know when I was called back to the restaurant 'cause an alarm went off? Remember? Guess who I found there.
[Sighs.]
Do you hear me? Yeah, sure.
Go on.
Delilah.
She was sitting there, waiting for me In her underwear.
She undressed and broke in? Yeah.
Can you believe that? Uh, surely that must be grounds to fire her.
I'm the only one that saw her.
It's still my word against hers.
You call the police? I didn't think of it.
I should have.
- She's a crazy bitch.
- Yeah.
You got to get rid of her.
I wish I could, but I can't.
I'm gonna be late.
Thank you.
Thanks.
[Sighs.]
It was in my coat.
And it's turned off.
I'm sorry.
Thanks.
Come on.
[Elevator bell dings.]
Hey, guys.
There he is.
Whoa! Welcome back, brother! [Laughs.]
Hey! If it isn't tall, dark, and charismatically challenged.
We missed you.
[Chuckles.]
Ali: Hey, handsome.
[Chuckles.]
Oh, you look great.
How do you feel? 100%.
Everything's perfect in la cabeza? Good.
Very good.
Perfect? Not so much.
My hyper memory hasn't come back not by a long shot.
You know what? That's okay.
Now you're gonna have to be like the rest of us.
You're gonna have to work hard to get what you want.
[Both chuckle.]
[Woman speaking indistinctly over P.
A.
.]
Nervous? A little.
I've been dreaming about this.
I couldn't wait to get back.
Now I'm scared.
You get your grade from Dr.
Black? [Sighing.]
No.
I'm on pins and needles.
It's just zero chance of a residency at the Cube if I don't score high honors on my rotation.
Same here.
I haven't said this before, but I should have.
For everything you've done for me, thank you.
- Dr.
Black? - Yeah.
You have a new patient A Gordon Finley.
Ali's finishing up the intake.
When you're ready, they're in the conference room.
Apparently, there's a video you need to see.
Thank you.
Bickman: Have you been to Bali? It's absolutely magnificent.
It's the most beautiful place.
You You do yoga, right? [Woman over P.
A.
.]
Crisis administration is requesting a code orange.
Gordon is the nicest man on the planet.
That's why this is so crazy.
I mean, he's a vegetarian and gluten free, for God's sake.
He wouldn't hurt a soul.
He wears Toms shoes, and the man laminates his library card.
I would never rob a bank.
I did not mean to do it.
Dr.
Black, this is Gordon Finley and his fiancee, Stacey Wilson.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Let's start by showing Dr.
Black what you showed me.
I'm a bank teller at Seaton Savings & Loan.
- Or I used to be.
- He was fired.
I'm lucky I wasn't put in jail.
[Chuckles.]
Do you know what your hand's doing, Gordon? I have no clue.
It has this life of its own.
I have zero control.
Oh, boy.
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
We're supposed to get married in four weeks.
Obviously, that is not going to happen until we fix this.
Gordon has severe epilepsy.
Medication didn't work to control it, so he had brain surgery two months ago.
They severed his corpus callosum.
Okay, so this is part of the brain that allows the two hemispheres to communicate, and without it, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
- What is it, Ali? - Alien hand syndrome.
It's a known complication of brain surgery, but it is a rare one.
- Gordon, your zipper, please.
- [Chuckles lightly.]
[Zipper clicks.]
[Sighs.]
[Zipper clicks.]
Kate: Okay, so the signals from your brain to your limbs They are literally crossed right now.
Can you fix it? There is no cure for alien hand syndrome, but don't cancel the wedding yet.
There are possibilities.
[Knock on door.]
Yeah.
Do you have a minute? For you, any time.
I, uh I just wanted to clear the air.
It's clear.
You left a note.
"No obligations.
No strings.
" - Yeah, your motto.
- Your words.
I take them at face value, which I assume is what you want.
Well, it's what you want, isn't it? I'm open.
You want to talk about this? [Sighs.]
Sure.
If you do.
You have no worries that we can go on working together like nothing happened? I'm not bothered.
Are you? So nothing happened? I never said that.
I don't know what's going on here.
Me neither.
Isn't that nice? I love surprises.
Life's so boring without them.
[Woman over P.
A.
.]
Nuclear medicine, consult on line 2.
Dinner? Tonight? I have to figure a few things out first.
[Sighs.]
Danny: Be calm.
Be calm.
Be calm.
Hartramph: My assistant, Rachael, is at lunch.
- Control.
Control.
- Please just call her and cancel Control your anger.
May I help you? Control.
Control.
Hi, I'm, uh I'm Daniel James Walker.
I'm sorry.
I don't have an appointment.
Oh, then I'm sorry.
I can't see you.
Please, I need I need to talk to someone.
I just, uh I think something's seriously wrong with me.
I have these thoughts that I don't understand.
They frighten me.
I'll see if I can find a number for a referral.
Wait here a moment.
[Door closes.]
[Door opens.]
Mr.
Walker.
Uh Daniel James Walker.
- I asked you to wait.
- I know.
I just, uh I-I had to explain something.
I'm a good person a-a kind person.
- I'm sure you are.
- Right, so so that that that That's why none of this makes sense.
Pounding headaches, I can't sleep, I throw up every day, I'm exhausted.
I read about you in a magazine.
The "10 best psychiatrists" article.
[Chuckling.]
It was at my mother's house.
I thought, um I thought if anyone could help me I'm not the kind of doctor you need to see.
- You have headaches, you have nausea - No, no, no, no.
I-I took a whole bottle of ibuprofen this week.
Nothing helps, all right? And and and the vomiting started about 10 days ago, and now I want to break things.
I-I never used to feel like that.
I mean, these thoughts They they aren't mine.
I-I push them back, I try not to think them, but they keep coming.
[Sighs.]
Mr.
Walker, you need a neurological examination.
We're quite near one of the finest centers in the country - The Cube.
- [Breathes shakily.]
Would you please wait outside? I don't want to see another doctor.
I want to see you.
[Grunts.]
[Slams notebook.]
Sit down! I insist.
Kate: Thanks for coming.
Joshua: It sounded important.
What's going on? I have to break up with Will.
What?! "Have to"? Why? [Sighs.]
- We love him, Esme especially.
- Yeah, I know.
He's good for you, Kate.
What if I'm not good for him? Is there someone else? Is he gonna be there for you? Love you? Take care of you? I didn't say there was someone else.
- Does he know you're bipolar? - There is no one else.
What are you doing, Catherine? I don't know.
Maybe I'm self-destructing.
When I think about marrying him, I just want to run.
I feel trapped.
Do you understand? [Sighs.]
You think I didn't go through this with Reagan? I walked out a couple of times, but I always came back.
Why? I wanted my family.
That came first, always, for me.
People They spend years in therapy trying to figure out what they want.
[Sighs.]
No one can tell you.
The answer is in your actions.
If you want Will, then you'll work it out.
If you want some other guy or if you want to self-destruct, you'll do it.
Even I can't stop you.
[Mid-tempo music plays.]
[Footsteps.]
Will: What are you doing? After last night, I never want to see you again.
Easy.
I'm apologizing.
I took it too far.
I'm sorry.
I was desperate to get your attention.
Bit of an extreme way to get my attention.
That was lunatic behavior.
I know.
It won't happen again.
Okay, stop that.
What? Trying to manipulate me again.
Move on, why don't you? You're beautiful, smart, you have a lot to offer.
Why throw yourself at someone who doesn't care about you? Do you think Catherine cares about you? We're engaged.
She'll never go through with it.
She doesn't love you, and you know that in your heart.
Step aside.
Look, you want her to be someone she's not just like I want to believe that you could love me.
We have the same problem, you and I.
We do.
Bickman: So, you got your Step 2 coming up The final exams for medical school.
You worried about it? - I'm studying like crazy.
- Good.
You'll need to ace that test Because I can't write you a letter of recommendation.
Why not? This rotation, I gave you a "satisfactory.
" I'm sorry, Leo.
I'd like to make allowances, but in neurosurgery, you can't.
I know that there is a good reason you weren't capable of high honors, but the fact that there is an excuse for it doesn't matter when the life of a patient's on the line.
- But I believe in the future - Speculation about the future is for hedge-fund managers.
I deal in the present.
The fact right now is, you aren't performing at the level necessary for neurosurgery, especially not a residency at the Cube.
I'm sorry, Leo.
Danny: Control your thoughts.
Don't hurt her.
Control your thoughts, control your anger.
Don't hurt her.
Don't hurt her.
Control.
Control your thoughts.
Control your anger.
Control.
Control.
[Exhales sharply.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Okay, calm down.
Calm down.
I'm sorry.
Something's Something's making me act like this.
This isn't me.
[Sighs.]
I don't know, maybe maybe they could do, like, an autopsy on my brain after I die.
What makes you think you're going to die? I deserve to die for what I did.
I believe you are having a medical emergency.
I'm going to call an ambulance to take you [Grunts.]
[Grunting.]
[Panting.]
I don't want to hurt you.
Then you won't.
[Breathing shallowly.]
Woman: Danny? Danny, darling.
Please don't hurt anyone else.
[Inhales sharply.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Botox? The stuff Stacey swears by to get rid of her wrinkles? - Mm-hmm.
- It blocks the nerve impulses to the muscles so they can't contract.
Eliminates that furrowed-brow look.
New studies have shown an 84% improvement using Botox for alien hand syndrome.
Sucks to keep doing things you know are wrong.
To be out of control, especially with Stacey.
She can't understand why I can't make up my mind to end this.
Will power.
[Scoffs.]
I'm a firm believer in self-control, but your brain was altered during surgery.
No amount of will can overcome that, all right? Whoa! [Chuckles.]
- I am so sorry.
- No problem.
Don't worry.
It's okay.
Hey.
Have you seen Ali? Uh, yeah, she's by the nurses' station.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
[Indistinct conversations.]
- Ali: Dr.
Black? - Kate: Yes.
This may not be the best time, but I was wondering If I'd write you a letter of recommendation? Yes, to apply to the neurology residency.
It's in your mailbox.
I also gave you a grade for rotation, Ali.
High honors.
[Stammers.]
Thank you! [Chuckles.]
Sorry.
Sorry.
You know, you're gonna be a great doctor.
[Cellphone rings.]
- Kate: Dr.
Hartramph? - Catherine.
A young man came into my office a few minutes ago.
He is dangerous.
- Are you all right? - Yes.
Just as I thought he might hurt me, he walked out.
This man killed his mother.
I've called the police.
Oh, my God.
I'm concerned he might be on his way to the Cube.
W-what makes you think that? I knew there was something physically wrong, and I told him about the Cube before I realized he was dangerous.
Okay, uh, I'll alert security right away.
Do you know his name? Man: He just came up.
I have all the information.
[Metal detector wand squealing.]
Yes.
We will monitor everyone coming in and out.
[Computer beeping.]
Got it.
All right.
[Door slams.]
[Crows cawing.]
[Panting.]
[Click.]
Don't hurt them.
You don't want to hurt them.
You don't want to hurt them.
You're a good person.
You're a good person.
[Breathing heavily.]
[Cawing continues.]
[Exhales deeply.]
Kill yourself.
Kill yourself.
If you can't stop, you must kill yourself.
Kill yourself.
If you can't stop, you have to kill yourself.
[Exhales sharply.]
Do it.
Just do it.
Coward.
[Cries.]
[Screams.]
[Panting.]
Coward.
[Grunts.]
Coward.
Coward.
Kill.
Coward.
Kill.
Kill Kill all of them.
Them all.
All.
[Breathes heavily.]
[Breathing heavily.]
So, high honors.
The word on me is I am satisfactory.
- Bickman's cold.
- No, he's right.
A neurosurgeon can't be satisfactory.
[Breathing heavily.]
I'm going for radiology.
Ta-da.
You're doing your next rotation with Lina? Bickman's idea.
You? I'm going to Newyork-presbyterian to finish my medicine sub-I.
Then I'll be done with all my rotations.
[Elevator bell dings.]
All that's left is match day.
Then we find out where we go next.
You'll be here, at the Cube, I'll be in some hospital in rural Nebraska.
And so, on top of everything else, I'm losing my best friend.
Am I your best friend? Yeah, you are.
Come on, Leo.
Everything will be okay.
[Gunshots.]
[Gasps.]
[Indistinct talking.]
What was that? Gunshots.
[Alarm blaring.]
I don't know.
I don't know what's going on.
I don't know what's happening.
- Ali: There's Dr.
Black.
- What's going on? We have a live shooter in the building.
He's on the roof.
Where's Dr.
Morely? He's at a conference.
Where's Bickman? Bickman went to the food truck.
Page him.
[Gunshots, woman gasps.]
Man: Put a stop on that elevator.
[Sirens wailing.]
Danny: I want them to do an autopsy on my brain after I die.
I want them to do an autopsy on my brain.
Man: The E.
R.
's overloaded.
Hospital E.
R.
is at capacity.
He asked to come here.
No, I understand.
37-year-old man with gunshot wound to the neck.
Zone 1, vitals stable.
Man: Sir, are you having any pain whatsoever? Bickman: I'm fine.
[Grunts.]
- Bickman? - Woman: GSW to the neck.
- Alert O.
R.
suite 2.
- The wound is past the platysma.
Small hematoma.
No bruit, crepitus, or stridor.
Are you taking him to the O.
R.
? Depends on the imaging.
He needs a C.
T.
A.
Keep your eye on that hematoma.
If it gets any bigger, prep him for the O.
R.
[Bickman coughs, grunts.]
[Sirens wailing.]
[Exhales sharply.]
[Breathing shakily.]
I want them to do an autopsy on my brain.
Autopsy.
Autopsy.
Brain.
After I die.
I want them to do an autopsy.
Autopsy.
Brain.
[Door opens.]
Hands up! Show me your hands! Don't move! Man: Hands up! Hands where I can see them! Hands! [Wheezing.]
Don't move! [Shuddering.]
Stay down! [Wheezing continues.]
Man 2: Don't move! Stay down! Stay down! Man 3: Get his hands.
[Breathing heavily.]
If this is a zone 1 injury, he needs to be scoped, okay? Catherine, this is trauma, not neurology.
You can't help.
Is that Sub-Q air? No, it's not.
Chill out, okay? The aerodigestive tract is completely intact.
- I looked at it twice.
- Vascular injury.
If the bullet nipped his carotid, he could, uh He could stroke out.
Bickman has no vascular injury.
This scan is normal.
Normal.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Two dead, six wounded, three critical.
Make that three dead.
Did the cops get the shooter? - Yeah.
- Thank God.
- They're sending us a seizure patient.
- Now? - Were they shot? - No.
It's crazy.
The guy in full seizure is the shooter.
How's the hematoma? Stable.
Moderate.
His vitals are normal, and so is he.
He wouldn't let me put him in a hospital gown.
I'll change his dressing.
No need.
I already did.
Okay.
[Machine beeping steadily.]
Hey, Bickman? Hi.
[Weakly.]
Hi.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
I don't want to be admitted.
I need to get back to work.
Okay.
You need to stay where you are.
We need to monitor you.
Hematoma could get a lot worse.
Yeah, I know.
Obstruct my airway.
[Inhales sharply.]
How's my service? I heard we had three intracranial GSWs and two epidurals.
The attendings have it under control.
They've got three intracranial gunshot wounds and two epidurals.
I doubt it's under control.
If the bullet had hit you a centimeter to the left, you'd have never operated again.
Five millimeters lower, and you'd have bled to death.
Do you understand? All for waffles.
[Chuckles.]
[Chuckles weakly.]
They're good, but [Breathes deeply.]
Lina: The shooter has a pecan-sized brain tumor adjacent to the thalamus.
It's compressing the amygdala.
The amygdala? A tumor in that location - It could cause extreme rage.
- And violence.
All right, we have to prep him for surgery immediately.
Yeah, in progress.
So strange.
He doesn't look like a killer.
What does a killer look like? Good point.
Guys, hurry up.
Why are you slowing down? Little street justice.
[Chuckles.]
What did you say? Leo, get him through.
I could've been shot.
Dr.
Bickman could've been killed.
It won't be a tragedy if this guy doesn't make it.
Excuse me? He has a brain tumor.
It is not a choice.
It is an affliction.
The tumor caused him to be violent.
I'm sorry, Dr.
Black, but we're all responsible for the choices we make.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
It's called free will.
He is a patient.
We have to keep him alive.
If you don't like it, go get yourself another job.
Who's operating on Danny? Bickman.
Are you insane? The bullet grazed me.
The benzo they gave me wore off.
I'm fine.
You're not fine.
We don't even know the extent of your injuries yet.
If I had any other injuries, we'd know by now.
Kate: You lost blood.
You suffered trauma.
There must be another attending who could do this.
They're all scrubbed on other cases.
- It's me or nobody.
- Man: One, two, three, lift.
The hematoma has to be evacuated now.
Bick, you cannot operate on someone who shot you.
I've seen the scan.
The tumor invaded the amygdala.
It's not this kid's fault.
I want to take it out.
Man 2: We got to dilate it.
Where's your assistant? You don't have an assistant.
I'm available.
No, Leo, you're a medical student.
I know You cannot first assist.
I know how to do this.
Left temporal approach.
I can get the patient in the Mayfield clamp in five minutes.
You're gonna be the scrub nurse, too? I'm familiar with the surgical instruments, I'm aware of what Dr.
Bickman needs.
I can do both.
Scrub up.
[Sighs.]
Small Mayo scissors, medium Mayo scissors, pick-ups, bipolar, penfield 1, penfield 3.
Get the drill acorn bit and the craniotome ready.
Okay.
[Groans.]
Sorry.
You're bleeding.
The incision is marked.
Linear incision? Yes.
I always do a question-mark incision in cases like this.
You should know that.
[Sighs.]
He's in pain.
You couldn't stop him if you tried.
Let's just hope he doesn't pass out.
[Breathing heavily.]
How am I supposed to operate if I can't see the field? Leo: Sorry, doctor.
Give me the [Police radio chatter.]
Okay.
We've got the tumor.
It's so small.
Big enough to change his entire personality.
All right, let's close him up.
[Inhales sharply.]
I think we hit a vessel.
[Monitor beeping rapidly.]
Get suction.
Suction.
Clip.
Clip.
[Breathing heavily.]
[Groans.]
I got it.
[Beeping continues.]
It's clear.
[Beeping stops.]
[Sighs.]
Woman: Bleeding has stopped.
The hematoma worsened slightly, but it's still very small.
Any trouble breathing or swallowing? I'm not gonna be doctored by a medical student.
Just make sure you get Danny some calcium channel blocker to prevent post-op vasospasm.
I already wrote for it you should get some rest, take some pain medication.
Leo.
Good work.
Hey, babe.
[Cellphone ringing.]
[Cellphone beeps.]
Kate: Hi.
Hey.
- Where are you? - At work.
Don't you remember we were supposed to have dinner at Keith's tonight to celebrate the restaurant's first year? Yeah, I can't possibly make it.
I'm sorry.
You're kidding.
Will, have you seen the news? No.
W-what happened? We had a shooting here.
- Three people are dead.
- My God.
One of the doctors was shot.
- I'm coming down there right now.
- No.
No, you don't need to.
I'm I'm fine anyway.
I don't want you to miss your, uh Your celebration.
Really? Y-you don't want me to come? No, I'm exhausted.
Okay, I'll see you back here later.
Actually, I'm gonna spend the night here.
Um One of the patients is critical, and I don't think he's gonna make it, so Okay.
At least I know where you are this time.
Good night.
You did great.
I know.
I stepped up my game.
And I realized this is where I belong.
This is where I'm gonna spend my life.
Are you still gonna do the rotation with Lina? Yeah.
But it's not a commitment.
It doesn't mean I'm giving up on being a neurosurgeon.
You know what makes life beautiful? A goal.
[Sighs.]
I'm glad you're not giving up on your dream, Leo.
[Knock on door.]
Dr.
Black? I'm sorry to bother you.
It's okay.
What is it? Uh, Dr.
Morely's on his way.
He's returning early from the conference.
He wants you to call him as soon as you can.
Okay.
Our shooter is awake and stable.
Okay, great.
[Humming.]
Leo: Dr.
Lark? Is that a bed in there? It's against the rules.
Y-you can't tell anyone.
You live here? You live in the Cube.
Do you ever leave? No.
You're agoraphobic? Yes.
And you can't tell anyone or I'll give you a "satisfactory," too, just like Bickman did.
Deal? Deal.
[Door closes.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Gordon: I can get used to this.
Now when I go to shake my father-in-law's hand at the wedding, maybe my other hand won't be goosing his behind.
Good.
Keep up with the Botox injections.
Make an appointment with the nurse, and good luck with the nuptials.
[Nurse speaking indistinctly.]
I'm just going to adjust your You should've stayed at home.
How are you feeling? Better.
Couple of Percocet, be as right as rain.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
Where am I? You had brain surgery.
We took out a tumor.
You came through great.
[Chuckling.]
A-a tumor? What was the last thing you remember, Danny? Um I was, uh, shopping for my mom's Christmas present.
[Chuckles.]
She wanted a-a blu-ray DVD player.
No, wait.
That was a while ago.
What day is it? It's the 4th.
Of December? February.
[Chuckles.]
I'm way off.
Uh What happened to those two months? Your memory will start coming back.
Don't force it.
No, wait, I was I was sick.
I was sick, wasn't I? Yes.
What did I do? You just need to rest right now.
Just get your strength back.
[Chuckling.]
W-w-why am I in in handcuffs? Because you were a danger to yourself and to others.
Danny, you need to be transferred to the hospital prison ward.
[Chuckling.]
P-prison? I mean, there's got There's got to be some mistake.
Now? Got to get this figured out.
Um okay.
Uh, could you - Can you do me a favor, please.
- Of course.
Can you just call my mom, let her know I'm okay? I just I know she'll be really worried about me.
Just do me that favor, please? I think you're the one that should go home and get some rest.
[Door closes.]
You spent the night here, didn't you? Well, Owen should be in in about an hour, so he can cover for you.
There's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be than here.
[Chuckles lightly.]
Me too.
Life's fragile, huh? Yeah, believe me.
I got the message.
I'm, uh I'm glad I didn't lose you.
I'm right here.
[Sighs.]
I'm the lucky one.
He's a he's a catch.
Yes.
He is.
Yeah.
How was dinner with the in-laws? It was lovely.
You were bored to tears.
My son deserves a wife who thinks he is the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Delilah: Hi, there.
I was just about to text you again.
Get out.
You know where I live? In the Hotel Mirabella.
You know, it's a charming hotel with a quiet bar.
Join me for a drink.
[Breathes deeply.]
[Vehicle approaches, brakes squeak.]
[Car door closes.]
[Door opens.]
Danny? Danny? I saw your truck outside.
Danny? Danny! [Gunshot, body thuds.]
[Breathing deeply.]
[Clock chimes.]
It is after much thought that I decided to take my mother's life.
I loved her dearly, and I'm very upset over having done this.
Let there be no doubt in your mind that I loved this woman with all my heart.
I can't pinpoint any specific reason why I killed her.
I am not in control of my emotions.
[Clock ticking.]
[Exhales deeply.]
[Horns honking.]
[Breathing heavily.]
[Ringing.]
[Voice-mail beeps.]
Kate: Hi, you've reached Dr.
Catherine Black.
Please leave your number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks.
[Beep.]
[Exhales sharply.]
[Sirens wail in distance.]
[Keys jingle, door opens.]
Hey.
Hey.
Everything okay? Yeah.
You, uh You woke me up.
It's 9:00.
What?! - Didn't your alarm go off? - No, my, uh My phone, it's it's that my alarm is on my phone.
I called you over and over last night and this morning.
Did you? I It must be in my lab coat.
I was worried about you.
I didn't know what to think after the dinner with my parents.
[Door opens.]
I'm sorry.
I was, uh I was distracted.
My my patient was in critical condition.
I'm sorry.
Couldn't have taken one night off? No, I'm a doctor.
Of course you know that.
I can't take a night off.
My parents don't.
It was embarrassing.
I get it, I do.
I [Sighs.]
I understand.
And my night ended badly.
Yeah? What happened? You know when I was called back to the restaurant 'cause an alarm went off? Remember? Guess who I found there.
[Sighs.]
Do you hear me? Yeah, sure.
Go on.
Delilah.
She was sitting there, waiting for me In her underwear.
She undressed and broke in? Yeah.
Can you believe that? Uh, surely that must be grounds to fire her.
I'm the only one that saw her.
It's still my word against hers.
You call the police? I didn't think of it.
I should have.
- She's a crazy bitch.
- Yeah.
You got to get rid of her.
I wish I could, but I can't.
I'm gonna be late.
Thank you.
Thanks.
[Sighs.]
It was in my coat.
And it's turned off.
I'm sorry.
Thanks.
Come on.
[Elevator bell dings.]
Hey, guys.
There he is.
Whoa! Welcome back, brother! [Laughs.]
Hey! If it isn't tall, dark, and charismatically challenged.
We missed you.
[Chuckles.]
Ali: Hey, handsome.
[Chuckles.]
Oh, you look great.
How do you feel? 100%.
Everything's perfect in la cabeza? Good.
Very good.
Perfect? Not so much.
My hyper memory hasn't come back not by a long shot.
You know what? That's okay.
Now you're gonna have to be like the rest of us.
You're gonna have to work hard to get what you want.
[Both chuckle.]
[Woman speaking indistinctly over P.
A.
.]
Nervous? A little.
I've been dreaming about this.
I couldn't wait to get back.
Now I'm scared.
You get your grade from Dr.
Black? [Sighing.]
No.
I'm on pins and needles.
It's just zero chance of a residency at the Cube if I don't score high honors on my rotation.
Same here.
I haven't said this before, but I should have.
For everything you've done for me, thank you.
- Dr.
Black? - Yeah.
You have a new patient A Gordon Finley.
Ali's finishing up the intake.
When you're ready, they're in the conference room.
Apparently, there's a video you need to see.
Thank you.
Bickman: Have you been to Bali? It's absolutely magnificent.
It's the most beautiful place.
You You do yoga, right? [Woman over P.
A.
.]
Crisis administration is requesting a code orange.
Gordon is the nicest man on the planet.
That's why this is so crazy.
I mean, he's a vegetarian and gluten free, for God's sake.
He wouldn't hurt a soul.
He wears Toms shoes, and the man laminates his library card.
I would never rob a bank.
I did not mean to do it.
Dr.
Black, this is Gordon Finley and his fiancee, Stacey Wilson.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Let's start by showing Dr.
Black what you showed me.
I'm a bank teller at Seaton Savings & Loan.
- Or I used to be.
- He was fired.
I'm lucky I wasn't put in jail.
[Chuckles.]
Do you know what your hand's doing, Gordon? I have no clue.
It has this life of its own.
I have zero control.
Oh, boy.
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
We're supposed to get married in four weeks.
Obviously, that is not going to happen until we fix this.
Gordon has severe epilepsy.
Medication didn't work to control it, so he had brain surgery two months ago.
They severed his corpus callosum.
Okay, so this is part of the brain that allows the two hemispheres to communicate, and without it, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
- What is it, Ali? - Alien hand syndrome.
It's a known complication of brain surgery, but it is a rare one.
- Gordon, your zipper, please.
- [Chuckles lightly.]
[Zipper clicks.]
[Sighs.]
[Zipper clicks.]
Kate: Okay, so the signals from your brain to your limbs They are literally crossed right now.
Can you fix it? There is no cure for alien hand syndrome, but don't cancel the wedding yet.
There are possibilities.
[Knock on door.]
Yeah.
Do you have a minute? For you, any time.
I, uh I just wanted to clear the air.
It's clear.
You left a note.
"No obligations.
No strings.
" - Yeah, your motto.
- Your words.
I take them at face value, which I assume is what you want.
Well, it's what you want, isn't it? I'm open.
You want to talk about this? [Sighs.]
Sure.
If you do.
You have no worries that we can go on working together like nothing happened? I'm not bothered.
Are you? So nothing happened? I never said that.
I don't know what's going on here.
Me neither.
Isn't that nice? I love surprises.
Life's so boring without them.
[Woman over P.
A.
.]
Nuclear medicine, consult on line 2.
Dinner? Tonight? I have to figure a few things out first.
[Sighs.]
Danny: Be calm.
Be calm.
Be calm.
Hartramph: My assistant, Rachael, is at lunch.
- Control.
Control.
- Please just call her and cancel Control your anger.
May I help you? Control.
Control.
Hi, I'm, uh I'm Daniel James Walker.
I'm sorry.
I don't have an appointment.
Oh, then I'm sorry.
I can't see you.
Please, I need I need to talk to someone.
I just, uh I think something's seriously wrong with me.
I have these thoughts that I don't understand.
They frighten me.
I'll see if I can find a number for a referral.
Wait here a moment.
[Door closes.]
[Door opens.]
Mr.
Walker.
Uh Daniel James Walker.
- I asked you to wait.
- I know.
I just, uh I-I had to explain something.
I'm a good person a-a kind person.
- I'm sure you are.
- Right, so so that that that That's why none of this makes sense.
Pounding headaches, I can't sleep, I throw up every day, I'm exhausted.
I read about you in a magazine.
The "10 best psychiatrists" article.
[Chuckling.]
It was at my mother's house.
I thought, um I thought if anyone could help me I'm not the kind of doctor you need to see.
- You have headaches, you have nausea - No, no, no, no.
I-I took a whole bottle of ibuprofen this week.
Nothing helps, all right? And and and the vomiting started about 10 days ago, and now I want to break things.
I-I never used to feel like that.
I mean, these thoughts They they aren't mine.
I-I push them back, I try not to think them, but they keep coming.
[Sighs.]
Mr.
Walker, you need a neurological examination.
We're quite near one of the finest centers in the country - The Cube.
- [Breathes shakily.]
Would you please wait outside? I don't want to see another doctor.
I want to see you.
[Grunts.]
[Slams notebook.]
Sit down! I insist.
Kate: Thanks for coming.
Joshua: It sounded important.
What's going on? I have to break up with Will.
What?! "Have to"? Why? [Sighs.]
- We love him, Esme especially.
- Yeah, I know.
He's good for you, Kate.
What if I'm not good for him? Is there someone else? Is he gonna be there for you? Love you? Take care of you? I didn't say there was someone else.
- Does he know you're bipolar? - There is no one else.
What are you doing, Catherine? I don't know.
Maybe I'm self-destructing.
When I think about marrying him, I just want to run.
I feel trapped.
Do you understand? [Sighs.]
You think I didn't go through this with Reagan? I walked out a couple of times, but I always came back.
Why? I wanted my family.
That came first, always, for me.
People They spend years in therapy trying to figure out what they want.
[Sighs.]
No one can tell you.
The answer is in your actions.
If you want Will, then you'll work it out.
If you want some other guy or if you want to self-destruct, you'll do it.
Even I can't stop you.
[Mid-tempo music plays.]
[Footsteps.]
Will: What are you doing? After last night, I never want to see you again.
Easy.
I'm apologizing.
I took it too far.
I'm sorry.
I was desperate to get your attention.
Bit of an extreme way to get my attention.
That was lunatic behavior.
I know.
It won't happen again.
Okay, stop that.
What? Trying to manipulate me again.
Move on, why don't you? You're beautiful, smart, you have a lot to offer.
Why throw yourself at someone who doesn't care about you? Do you think Catherine cares about you? We're engaged.
She'll never go through with it.
She doesn't love you, and you know that in your heart.
Step aside.
Look, you want her to be someone she's not just like I want to believe that you could love me.
We have the same problem, you and I.
We do.
Bickman: So, you got your Step 2 coming up The final exams for medical school.
You worried about it? - I'm studying like crazy.
- Good.
You'll need to ace that test Because I can't write you a letter of recommendation.
Why not? This rotation, I gave you a "satisfactory.
" I'm sorry, Leo.
I'd like to make allowances, but in neurosurgery, you can't.
I know that there is a good reason you weren't capable of high honors, but the fact that there is an excuse for it doesn't matter when the life of a patient's on the line.
- But I believe in the future - Speculation about the future is for hedge-fund managers.
I deal in the present.
The fact right now is, you aren't performing at the level necessary for neurosurgery, especially not a residency at the Cube.
I'm sorry, Leo.
Danny: Control your thoughts.
Don't hurt her.
Control your thoughts, control your anger.
Don't hurt her.
Don't hurt her.
Control.
Control your thoughts.
Control your anger.
Control.
Control.
[Exhales sharply.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Okay, calm down.
Calm down.
I'm sorry.
Something's Something's making me act like this.
This isn't me.
[Sighs.]
I don't know, maybe maybe they could do, like, an autopsy on my brain after I die.
What makes you think you're going to die? I deserve to die for what I did.
I believe you are having a medical emergency.
I'm going to call an ambulance to take you [Grunts.]
[Grunting.]
[Panting.]
I don't want to hurt you.
Then you won't.
[Breathing shallowly.]
Woman: Danny? Danny, darling.
Please don't hurt anyone else.
[Inhales sharply.]
[Breathing heavily.]
Botox? The stuff Stacey swears by to get rid of her wrinkles? - Mm-hmm.
- It blocks the nerve impulses to the muscles so they can't contract.
Eliminates that furrowed-brow look.
New studies have shown an 84% improvement using Botox for alien hand syndrome.
Sucks to keep doing things you know are wrong.
To be out of control, especially with Stacey.
She can't understand why I can't make up my mind to end this.
Will power.
[Scoffs.]
I'm a firm believer in self-control, but your brain was altered during surgery.
No amount of will can overcome that, all right? Whoa! [Chuckles.]
- I am so sorry.
- No problem.
Don't worry.
It's okay.
Hey.
Have you seen Ali? Uh, yeah, she's by the nurses' station.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
[Indistinct conversations.]
- Ali: Dr.
Black? - Kate: Yes.
This may not be the best time, but I was wondering If I'd write you a letter of recommendation? Yes, to apply to the neurology residency.
It's in your mailbox.
I also gave you a grade for rotation, Ali.
High honors.
[Stammers.]
Thank you! [Chuckles.]
Sorry.
Sorry.
You know, you're gonna be a great doctor.
[Cellphone rings.]
- Kate: Dr.
Hartramph? - Catherine.
A young man came into my office a few minutes ago.
He is dangerous.
- Are you all right? - Yes.
Just as I thought he might hurt me, he walked out.
This man killed his mother.
I've called the police.
Oh, my God.
I'm concerned he might be on his way to the Cube.
W-what makes you think that? I knew there was something physically wrong, and I told him about the Cube before I realized he was dangerous.
Okay, uh, I'll alert security right away.
Do you know his name? Man: He just came up.
I have all the information.
[Metal detector wand squealing.]
Yes.
We will monitor everyone coming in and out.
[Computer beeping.]
Got it.
All right.
[Door slams.]
[Crows cawing.]
[Panting.]
[Click.]
Don't hurt them.
You don't want to hurt them.
You don't want to hurt them.
You're a good person.
You're a good person.
[Breathing heavily.]
[Cawing continues.]
[Exhales deeply.]
Kill yourself.
Kill yourself.
If you can't stop, you must kill yourself.
Kill yourself.
If you can't stop, you have to kill yourself.
[Exhales sharply.]
Do it.
Just do it.
Coward.
[Cries.]
[Screams.]
[Panting.]
Coward.
[Grunts.]
Coward.
Coward.
Kill.
Coward.
Kill.
Kill Kill all of them.
Them all.
All.
[Breathes heavily.]
[Breathing heavily.]
So, high honors.
The word on me is I am satisfactory.
- Bickman's cold.
- No, he's right.
A neurosurgeon can't be satisfactory.
[Breathing heavily.]
I'm going for radiology.
Ta-da.
You're doing your next rotation with Lina? Bickman's idea.
You? I'm going to Newyork-presbyterian to finish my medicine sub-I.
Then I'll be done with all my rotations.
[Elevator bell dings.]
All that's left is match day.
Then we find out where we go next.
You'll be here, at the Cube, I'll be in some hospital in rural Nebraska.
And so, on top of everything else, I'm losing my best friend.
Am I your best friend? Yeah, you are.
Come on, Leo.
Everything will be okay.
[Gunshots.]
[Gasps.]
[Indistinct talking.]
What was that? Gunshots.
[Alarm blaring.]
I don't know.
I don't know what's going on.
I don't know what's happening.
- Ali: There's Dr.
Black.
- What's going on? We have a live shooter in the building.
He's on the roof.
Where's Dr.
Morely? He's at a conference.
Where's Bickman? Bickman went to the food truck.
Page him.
[Gunshots, woman gasps.]
Man: Put a stop on that elevator.
[Sirens wailing.]
Danny: I want them to do an autopsy on my brain after I die.
I want them to do an autopsy on my brain.
Man: The E.
R.
's overloaded.
Hospital E.
R.
is at capacity.
He asked to come here.
No, I understand.
37-year-old man with gunshot wound to the neck.
Zone 1, vitals stable.
Man: Sir, are you having any pain whatsoever? Bickman: I'm fine.
[Grunts.]
- Bickman? - Woman: GSW to the neck.
- Alert O.
R.
suite 2.
- The wound is past the platysma.
Small hematoma.
No bruit, crepitus, or stridor.
Are you taking him to the O.
R.
? Depends on the imaging.
He needs a C.
T.
A.
Keep your eye on that hematoma.
If it gets any bigger, prep him for the O.
R.
[Bickman coughs, grunts.]
[Sirens wailing.]
[Exhales sharply.]
[Breathing shakily.]
I want them to do an autopsy on my brain.
Autopsy.
Autopsy.
Brain.
After I die.
I want them to do an autopsy.
Autopsy.
Brain.
[Door opens.]
Hands up! Show me your hands! Don't move! Man: Hands up! Hands where I can see them! Hands! [Wheezing.]
Don't move! [Shuddering.]
Stay down! [Wheezing continues.]
Man 2: Don't move! Stay down! Stay down! Man 3: Get his hands.
[Breathing heavily.]
If this is a zone 1 injury, he needs to be scoped, okay? Catherine, this is trauma, not neurology.
You can't help.
Is that Sub-Q air? No, it's not.
Chill out, okay? The aerodigestive tract is completely intact.
- I looked at it twice.
- Vascular injury.
If the bullet nipped his carotid, he could, uh He could stroke out.
Bickman has no vascular injury.
This scan is normal.
Normal.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Two dead, six wounded, three critical.
Make that three dead.
Did the cops get the shooter? - Yeah.
- Thank God.
- They're sending us a seizure patient.
- Now? - Were they shot? - No.
It's crazy.
The guy in full seizure is the shooter.
How's the hematoma? Stable.
Moderate.
His vitals are normal, and so is he.
He wouldn't let me put him in a hospital gown.
I'll change his dressing.
No need.
I already did.
Okay.
[Machine beeping steadily.]
Hey, Bickman? Hi.
[Weakly.]
Hi.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
I don't want to be admitted.
I need to get back to work.
Okay.
You need to stay where you are.
We need to monitor you.
Hematoma could get a lot worse.
Yeah, I know.
Obstruct my airway.
[Inhales sharply.]
How's my service? I heard we had three intracranial GSWs and two epidurals.
The attendings have it under control.
They've got three intracranial gunshot wounds and two epidurals.
I doubt it's under control.
If the bullet had hit you a centimeter to the left, you'd have never operated again.
Five millimeters lower, and you'd have bled to death.
Do you understand? All for waffles.
[Chuckles.]
[Chuckles weakly.]
They're good, but [Breathes deeply.]
Lina: The shooter has a pecan-sized brain tumor adjacent to the thalamus.
It's compressing the amygdala.
The amygdala? A tumor in that location - It could cause extreme rage.
- And violence.
All right, we have to prep him for surgery immediately.
Yeah, in progress.
So strange.
He doesn't look like a killer.
What does a killer look like? Good point.
Guys, hurry up.
Why are you slowing down? Little street justice.
[Chuckles.]
What did you say? Leo, get him through.
I could've been shot.
Dr.
Bickman could've been killed.
It won't be a tragedy if this guy doesn't make it.
Excuse me? He has a brain tumor.
It is not a choice.
It is an affliction.
The tumor caused him to be violent.
I'm sorry, Dr.
Black, but we're all responsible for the choices we make.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
It's called free will.
He is a patient.
We have to keep him alive.
If you don't like it, go get yourself another job.
Who's operating on Danny? Bickman.
Are you insane? The bullet grazed me.
The benzo they gave me wore off.
I'm fine.
You're not fine.
We don't even know the extent of your injuries yet.
If I had any other injuries, we'd know by now.
Kate: You lost blood.
You suffered trauma.
There must be another attending who could do this.
They're all scrubbed on other cases.
- It's me or nobody.
- Man: One, two, three, lift.
The hematoma has to be evacuated now.
Bick, you cannot operate on someone who shot you.
I've seen the scan.
The tumor invaded the amygdala.
It's not this kid's fault.
I want to take it out.
Man 2: We got to dilate it.
Where's your assistant? You don't have an assistant.
I'm available.
No, Leo, you're a medical student.
I know You cannot first assist.
I know how to do this.
Left temporal approach.
I can get the patient in the Mayfield clamp in five minutes.
You're gonna be the scrub nurse, too? I'm familiar with the surgical instruments, I'm aware of what Dr.
Bickman needs.
I can do both.
Scrub up.
[Sighs.]
Small Mayo scissors, medium Mayo scissors, pick-ups, bipolar, penfield 1, penfield 3.
Get the drill acorn bit and the craniotome ready.
Okay.
[Groans.]
Sorry.
You're bleeding.
The incision is marked.
Linear incision? Yes.
I always do a question-mark incision in cases like this.
You should know that.
[Sighs.]
He's in pain.
You couldn't stop him if you tried.
Let's just hope he doesn't pass out.
[Breathing heavily.]
How am I supposed to operate if I can't see the field? Leo: Sorry, doctor.
Give me the [Police radio chatter.]
Okay.
We've got the tumor.
It's so small.
Big enough to change his entire personality.
All right, let's close him up.
[Inhales sharply.]
I think we hit a vessel.
[Monitor beeping rapidly.]
Get suction.
Suction.
Clip.
Clip.
[Breathing heavily.]
[Groans.]
I got it.
[Beeping continues.]
It's clear.
[Beeping stops.]
[Sighs.]
Woman: Bleeding has stopped.
The hematoma worsened slightly, but it's still very small.
Any trouble breathing or swallowing? I'm not gonna be doctored by a medical student.
Just make sure you get Danny some calcium channel blocker to prevent post-op vasospasm.
I already wrote for it you should get some rest, take some pain medication.
Leo.
Good work.
Hey, babe.
[Cellphone ringing.]
[Cellphone beeps.]
Kate: Hi.
Hey.
- Where are you? - At work.
Don't you remember we were supposed to have dinner at Keith's tonight to celebrate the restaurant's first year? Yeah, I can't possibly make it.
I'm sorry.
You're kidding.
Will, have you seen the news? No.
W-what happened? We had a shooting here.
- Three people are dead.
- My God.
One of the doctors was shot.
- I'm coming down there right now.
- No.
No, you don't need to.
I'm I'm fine anyway.
I don't want you to miss your, uh Your celebration.
Really? Y-you don't want me to come? No, I'm exhausted.
Okay, I'll see you back here later.
Actually, I'm gonna spend the night here.
Um One of the patients is critical, and I don't think he's gonna make it, so Okay.
At least I know where you are this time.
Good night.
You did great.
I know.
I stepped up my game.
And I realized this is where I belong.
This is where I'm gonna spend my life.
Are you still gonna do the rotation with Lina? Yeah.
But it's not a commitment.
It doesn't mean I'm giving up on being a neurosurgeon.
You know what makes life beautiful? A goal.
[Sighs.]
I'm glad you're not giving up on your dream, Leo.
[Knock on door.]
Dr.
Black? I'm sorry to bother you.
It's okay.
What is it? Uh, Dr.
Morely's on his way.
He's returning early from the conference.
He wants you to call him as soon as you can.
Okay.
Our shooter is awake and stable.
Okay, great.
[Humming.]
Leo: Dr.
Lark? Is that a bed in there? It's against the rules.
Y-you can't tell anyone.
You live here? You live in the Cube.
Do you ever leave? No.
You're agoraphobic? Yes.
And you can't tell anyone or I'll give you a "satisfactory," too, just like Bickman did.
Deal? Deal.
[Door closes.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Gordon: I can get used to this.
Now when I go to shake my father-in-law's hand at the wedding, maybe my other hand won't be goosing his behind.
Good.
Keep up with the Botox injections.
Make an appointment with the nurse, and good luck with the nuptials.
[Nurse speaking indistinctly.]
I'm just going to adjust your You should've stayed at home.
How are you feeling? Better.
Couple of Percocet, be as right as rain.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
Where am I? You had brain surgery.
We took out a tumor.
You came through great.
[Chuckling.]
A-a tumor? What was the last thing you remember, Danny? Um I was, uh, shopping for my mom's Christmas present.
[Chuckles.]
She wanted a-a blu-ray DVD player.
No, wait.
That was a while ago.
What day is it? It's the 4th.
Of December? February.
[Chuckles.]
I'm way off.
Uh What happened to those two months? Your memory will start coming back.
Don't force it.
No, wait, I was I was sick.
I was sick, wasn't I? Yes.
What did I do? You just need to rest right now.
Just get your strength back.
[Chuckling.]
W-w-why am I in in handcuffs? Because you were a danger to yourself and to others.
Danny, you need to be transferred to the hospital prison ward.
[Chuckling.]
P-prison? I mean, there's got There's got to be some mistake.
Now? Got to get this figured out.
Um okay.
Uh, could you - Can you do me a favor, please.
- Of course.
Can you just call my mom, let her know I'm okay? I just I know she'll be really worried about me.
Just do me that favor, please? I think you're the one that should go home and get some rest.
[Door closes.]
You spent the night here, didn't you? Well, Owen should be in in about an hour, so he can cover for you.
There's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be than here.
[Chuckles lightly.]
Me too.
Life's fragile, huh? Yeah, believe me.
I got the message.
I'm, uh I'm glad I didn't lose you.
I'm right here.
[Sighs.]