SCENE 33

Scene 33 opens with Dean Whitlow reciting his speech. The audio is exactly the same as scene one, but whereas in scene one we cut between Dean Whitlow and the cops searching for Richard, this time we cut between face shots of Dean Whitlow, Richard, Taylor, Carolyn (the three of them together), Becker, and Shoopa (the two of them together). On this take, we don't see the cops until just before they nab Richard.

Dean Whitlow

speaking slowly and clearly

Welcome parents, friends, and assorted admirers. We are here because the 196 men and women before you have with their limitless dedication and effort over the past four years earned the right to call themselves ...... physicians. They came here with the dream to serve those in need, to heal the sick, to wrestle health from the hands of death and disease. With their sites set on the oath of Hippocrates...

The cops grab Richard, handcuff him, and escort him away from the ceremony with undue force. Against the background of shocked onlookers, Richard is dragged through the courtyard.

Richard

shocked

Hey! What's going on?

The sunglasses-wearing policemen do not at first answer him.

Richard

Listen, I'm trying to graduate here! Where are you taking me?

Away from the crowd now, Richard is being escorted to the street, where two police cars are parked.

Richard

You can't just kidnap me! I know my rights!

The policeman stop for a moment, one of them addresses Richard.

DPd

stern

Fifty kilograms of refined methamphetamine were found in your possession, Mr. Cartwright.

Face shot of confused Richard, as he's dragged toward frontmost police car. He looks at the second police car.

Cut to closeup of second police car. Skeeter is in the backseat, handcuffed, looking at Richard with a blank expression. Cut back to Richard, who closes his eyes in realization of what's happened.

Cut to DPD breaking into Richard and Skeeter's house; assorted druggies who had been hanging out in the living room scatter.

Cut back to graduation, Richard and two cops on final approach to the police car. Campus policeman is writing a ticket and placing it under the police car's windshield wiper.

Cut to DPD tossing over Richard's mattress to reveal numerous large ziplock bags filled with white powder.

Cut to Richard being pushed into the police car, dazed look on his face, still putting the pieces together.

Cut to DPD breaking into Skeeter's secret room, to reveal a laboratory replete with copious organic chemistry equipment and Skeeter brewing up a fresh batch, wearing a gas mask. He offers no resistance, merely pulls off his mask as he is cuffed and dragged out, smug expression on his face.

Cut to Richard being dragged down a long hall by several policemen. The cops are yelling at him.

Cut to jail cell, policemen throw Richard in, music stops. Richard paces a bit, then sits down, takes a deep breath, looks around. Hold Richard digesting his new surroundings for a few moments. He's sharing a cell with some dude and Dale, who is cowering in the corner, sobbing softly.

Richard

surprised

Dale?

Dale doesn't respond, he's too busy whimpering.

Richard

Dale is that you? What are you doing here?

some dude

Oh don't worry about him, he just fucks dead people.

Cut to shot of Richard, who looks down and scratches his head at the hand dealt to him today. Freeze on Richard, as the narration picks up.

Richard narrating

After Skeeter spoke with his lawyer, he claimed responsibility for all the drugs and I was released, but not before I spent ten very interesting hours in jail.

Cut to pizza parlor. We see the usual goings on: customers, waitresses, kitchen staff, all doing what they normally do, and we hear them doing it under Richard's continued narration. (Richard does not appear yet)

richard narrating

I recommend incarceration to anyone. During those ten hours I realized I didn't want to be a doctor. Of course I knew all along that I hated the science, and that I hated the hospital, and the patients, and the physicians, and the hours - hell, going to med school wasn't my idea in the first place, it was my mother's - but it took the worst roommate in history to add it up for me. It all came together in that jail cell, and I have Skeeter to thank.

A much older Richard walks into the restaurant kitchen. Mike, a cook, is spinning a pizza dough. Richard has lost all of his awkwardness and deals with people comfortably, confidently.

Richard

Hey Mike, can you close up tonight? I have some important family business.

mike

Yeah Richie, no problem. Hey Jimmy's covering for me tomorrow, is that cool?

Richard

Yeah, just make sure he washes his hands after he takes a leak, OK? Customers see that shit.

Mike

Right Richie.

As Richard resumes narrating, Mike goes back to what he was doing; Richard shakes his head at the memory of the customer complaining that he saw Jimmy not wash his hands, and then walks out with a pizza. On his way out he sees a child customer pouring crushed red pepper on the floor, and hesitates to do something about it, but decides against it and gets into his car, it's late afternoon.

richard narrating

Anyway I started working for my uncle, and eventually took over this place. I can't stand the smell of onions, but I'm very happy here. Of course I have a lot to be happy about these days.

Cut to a pediatrician's office. Richard walks in and all the staff is glad to see him. He places the pizza on the counter.

staff A

smiling

Richard!

Richard

Guess what I brought.

staff B

from the back

Pizza! Hurray!!

staff C

Thanks Richard!

A little girl and her mom walk up behind Richard and the little girl speaks in his direction, so that the audience would think she's talking to Richard.

mia

Dr. Cartwright!

An older, more beautiful Carolyn emerges, dressed as a pediatrician.

Carolyn

I'm coming Mia!!

Carolyn walks up to the little girl, and kneels down. Richard turns around to face them.

Carolyn

Mia you were a super duper patient today.

mia

sulking a bit

You promised-

Carolyn pulls out a lollipop and presents it to Mia, who on seeing the sucker is suddenly beaming with happiness.

Carolyn

Have a fentanyl lollipop.

mia'S mom

What do you say, Mia?

Mia

sucking on fentanyl lollipop

Thank you Dr. Cartwright.

Carolyn affectionately plays with Mia's hair, and stands up.

Carolyn

We'll see you in six months, Mia.

Carolyn

to mom

If she spikes another fever, call me.

mia's mom

smiling, appreciative

Okay, thanks Dr. Cartwright.

They all wave at each other; Mia and her mom walk out.

Richard

We've gotta move.

Carolyn

Let's go.

Carolyn

to one of the staff

We're done, right?

Carolyn gives Richard a short, sweet kiss on the lips. Richard puts his arm around her waist.

staff a

That's everybody. Get outta here.

Carolyn

to all the staff

Have a great weekend guys! See you Monday!

Staff shouts goodbye to Richard and Carolyn, and the two of them walk out. Richard resumes narration as they walk out, get into her car, and start driving.

Richard narrating

Carolyn and I moved back to Oregon, and she has a booming pediatrics practice right next to best-known lawyer in town.

Cut to decked-out lawyer's office. An older Johnny, the guy who failed out, is dressed in a superb business suit, feet on the desk, talking on the phone.

johnny

arrogant

Now hold on a second, Eric. Just because she lives by herself doesn't necessarily make her an emancipated minor, and even if she were, she still can't consent to have sex with you until she's eighteen. You have no case, and I don't have time for this. When you're ready to pay the price for thinking with the wrong head, we'll talk.

Johnny hangs up on Eric with emphasis. Cut to Carolyn and Richard standing on the side of a soccer field, arm in arm, watching a little league soccer game. A beautiful little girl, playing midfield, smiles at them, and they wave.

Richard

We love you Zoë!

ZoË

embarrassed

Dad!! Stop!!!

Richard narrating

It's hard to believe I was in such a fog during medical school I didn't see the most beautiful girl in the world standing right in front of me.

Richard the narrator sighs. Cut to an older Taylor, dressed as a doctor, in a clinic in Thailand. How you guys are going to turn a clinic into a Thai clinic is beyond me, good luck - this is Billy's idea. Taylor is joined by a hot nurse and a young backpacker patient.

richard narrating

Taylor did a family practice residency and opened up a clinic for backpackers on one of the islands off the coast of Thailand.

backpacker

very nervous, embarrassed

So I met this uh, girl, and, well I thought she was a girl, and, um, well now there's this thing on my dick, and-

Taylor extends a hand to calm his patient.

Taylor

I think I can help you with that.

An expression of relief comes over the backpacker.

Richard narrator

We visit him at least twice a year; this year we're going to take Zoë.

Cut to an older Skeeter, dressed in a business suit, sitting on the couch, reading The Wall Street Journal.

Richard narrator

Skeeter spent some time in the big house, but jail was good for him, too. When he got out he went back to school and found a job in, wouldn't you know it, Debbie's office.

Pan to an older Debbie taking a hit off of a large, beautiful purple water pipe, and then passing it to Skeeter, who puts down the paper and takes a hit. Cut to an enormous Highland Park house, and an expensive car pulling into the driveway.

Richard narrator

Becker and Shoopa stayed in Dallas; Becker is a cardiologist and Shoopa an obstetrician.

Mom and little boy walk down the sidewalk, boy is pulling a red wagon. They stop in front of the house.

tommy'S mom

Do you know who lives there, Tommy?

Tommy looks at mom inquisitively.

tommy's mom

That's the Doctors Stevenson's house.

Richard narrator

They are both very successful...professionally successful.

Cut to older Becker in doctor gear walking into his mansion, exhausted. He puts down his bag and sees an older Shoopa sitting at the table, obviously waiting for him.

Becker

exhausted

Hi.

shoopa

angry

Nice of you to come home.

Becker

Don't start, Shoopa.

shoopa

suddenly very upset

Don't start? You know I have to go to work in 45 minutes.

Becker

It's not my fault you work nights.

Shoopa loses it. She pushes against the table, knocking down everything on the table, and stands up.

shoopa

furious

You said you'd be home by dinner!! How am I supposed to get pregnant if we never see each other?

Becker

closes his eyes

Not this again.

shoopa

almost tearful with rage

You don't even care if we have a baby!! I work my ass off so you can have your house and your car and all I want is a baby! And you don't care!

Shoopa grabs a punch bowl and is about to smash it on the ground.

Becker

NO Shoopa!

Shoopa balks, holding the punch bowl above her head.

Becker

You know that's my mother's punch bowl. Put it down, Shoopa. Put it down.

Shoopa, hysterical, puts it down slowly. They stare at each other for a few moments. Then Shoopa with as much animosity as she can muster spits in the punch bowl and storms out of the room.

Cut back to outside the house. Mom is talking to Tommy.

Tommy'S mom

Doctors are very happy, Tommy. Everyone loves doctors. You're a smart boy...maybe when you grow up you can be a doctor and you'll be happy too.

Cut to far shot of Tommy and his mom walking away.

tommy

Okay, mommy.

Fade to black. Roll credits.