Ready or Not Holby City

-Ric. Ric!

-I need them to see you finish. We both do.

I'm arresting you on suspicion of assault.

This is a huge mistake.

I don't know how to do this.

I don't know where to start.

SHE SOBS

You start with us.

You can take away flowers and candles,

but nobody can take away a legacy.

You'd better get away from me, Danny.

Today, Ms Naylor, I will be playing the part of your surgeon.

SIREN WAILS

SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH

SHE EXHALES

-Hey.

-Hey.

So, how are you doing today?

Better, I thought, until I got this.

It's Raf's inheritance.

I don't know when he had time to write the will,

but he's left me the lion's share.

So, how much are we talking?

A lot.

He's left some for his family, and some for Fletch's kids, but...

SHE SIGHS

..I wasn't expecting this.

He's here.

Did the notes come through from the prison infirmary?

-Yeah...

-Good.

..but you want to see the state of him.

Are you OK?

Yeah. I'll catch up with you later.

OK.

Aren't you supposed to be on light duties between your physio sessions?

I'm done limping around, being patronised

by semi-competent agency nurses.

Glad to see your effervescent charm has survived intact.

Irony.

Morning, Ms Naylor. Good to see you on your feet.

Easing yourself back in gently, are we?

By no means. I have a full list planned.

As of today, it's back to business.

Two CABGs and a mini-maze?

Hardly throwing yourself back in at the deep end.

Still, best to take it slow, eh?

Are you here for a reason, or just to check up on me?

Actually, I'm expecting a transfer patient from

the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at QEH, Birmingham.

Why wasn't I informed?

Maybe you missed the e-mail.

It's a neurocardio case,

so I'll need a ring-fenced theatre slot on Darwin.

Of course, if you're not up to it...

Let's skip over the whole reverse psychology routine

and just cut to the part where I take over, yeah?

I was hoping you'd say that.

Ciara Hobbes. Aortic pseudoaneurysm and dural AV fistula.

Give us a shout when she arrives.

This is Danny Fincher, 37.

He's sustained serious blunt force trauma to the abdomen and chest.

This is Sacha Levy. He's going to be taking care of you today.

Hi.

I'd shake your hand, but...

Come on, Danny. You know the rules.

So, I understand that you were taken into the prison infirmary

late last night.

Can you tell me what happened?

I walked into a door, fell down the stairs...

Whatever ticks the box, right?

So, according to your notes,

the prison doctor suspected additional internal injuries,

so I doubt very much whether that would have happened by accident.

On the bright side, it was below the neck and above the belt.

Good luck getting any more out of him than that.

Fine.

So, let's do full bloods, order a CT scan, and take it from there.

Shall we?

-Mr Levy, right?

-Yes?

Thanks.

HMP Holby is where they're keeping Ric.

Do you think he's all right in there?

Listen, Ric can look after himself.

DOOR SLAMS

SHE EXHALES

Can I help you?

I'm just waiting for someone.

Visiting hours don't start until 4.00.

I think there's been some miscommunication.

Evidently. Security will escort you out.

-Is there a problem?

-This woman was just leaving.

This woman is Arianne Cornell.

You must be Jac Naylor.

I believe we have a mutual associate - Connie Beauchamp.

She calls you the Ozymandias of cardiothoracics.

Well, coming from Connie, that is a compliment.

"Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Sorry for the confusion - a clerical error.

I see you two have met.

After a fashion.

This is Professor Arianne Cornell,

director of interventional heart valve surgery at St Eugene's, London.

So you got Connie under the knife. How's she doing?

Back to her viperine self, more or less.

I'm just here to tie up a few loose ends before her transfer here.

I thought the Professor might like to sit in on our duet,

and see how we operate outside the M25.

How delightful.

-ARIANNE LAUGHS

-You see that look?

That is exactly the look I'd have if some metropolitan fly-by-night

waltzed into my ward without so much as a by-your-leave.

Don't worry. I'm not going to get my hands dirty.

I'm strictly an observer.

That won't be a problem for you, will it, Jac?

No.

We need to take Mr Fincher down for a CT scan now,

so if you wouldn't mind?

Where he goes, I go, I'm afraid.

Be that as it may, I can't very well have you

topping and tailing in the scanner,

so it would be a big help for everyone.

Come on, Butler.

I'm hardly in any shape to make a run for it.

What do you say?

-HE SIGHS

-Thank you.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Right, thanks, Steve. Erm...

That's it.

Wait. That's it. There you go.

WHISPERING: Ric Griffin says hello, by the way.

-I'm sorry?

-Time and a place, if you get me?

HE GROANS

HE EXHALES

May I introduce Staff Sergeant Ciara Hobbes?

This is Ms Naylor, one of our finest CT surgeons.

Army or Navy?

Army. Bomb disposal.

Ciara was injured in action late last year.

It was an IED. I took a blast of shrapnel right in the back,

but it's not as bad as it sounds.

QEH identified an enlarging dural AV fistula, putting pressure

on the spine via blood flow from a traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Which is just a complicated way of keeping me out of action

for the next few months.

I'll be performing an interventional radiology procedure.

I'll inject glue directly into the shunt-zone,

in order to prevent further growth and/or bleeding,

-while Ms Naylor ministers to your heart.

-I've reviewed your notes,

and I'd recommend a frozen elephant trunk operation.

Just call me Nelly!

-HE CHUCKLES

-It's not what it sounds like.

Essentially I would put a graft in your aorta to stop any leakage.

Best-case scenario, we could have you

back on your feet in a few months.

The sooner the better. My squadron deploys in March,

and I intend to be right there with them.

That might be a little optimistic.

If it's a speedy recovery you're after,

you might want to consider other options.

-Like what?

-Don't mind Professor Cornell. She's just visiting.

Your patient, of course.

There's a lot more damage to the liver and spleen than I expected.

Does Danny have a history of violence?

I wouldn't say that exactly, but it gets pretty tough in there

if you don't know how to handle yourself.

It's not long now, Danny, OK?

OK.

Anything you can tell me about his background would be a big help.

Danny's a bit of a lag - he can't stay out five minutes

before he gets himself banged up again.

He's a decent enough sort, but it's his mouth that lands him in trouble.

Forgive me, but isn't it your job to protect him?

We do what we can, but people like Danny...

He's a rabble-rouser.

He tends to rub the wrong people up the wrong way.

So, you're saying he's the instigator?

Well, it's hard to say who starts these things.

Just don't let the class clown routine fool you.

I see.

Let's get him out of there.

I'd best take it from here.

Uh, no, sorry, medics only in the scanner room.

It's radiation and such. Hospital policy.

Thank you.

INAUDIBLE

-WHISPERING:

-Whatever you've got to say to me, now's your chance.

Ric. He gave me a few names. It's Sacha, isn't it? Sacha Levy?

What has he told you?

He said you're due to visit him later today, right?

-THROUGH SPEAKER: He said you should come alone.

-Did he say why?

That was the message.

I'm lucky to even be here talking with you.

Normally they don't let us out of the infirmary

unless we're dying, but it all kicked off again last night.

How do I know I can trust you?

I guess you don't, but if you want to help your mate,

you can start by doing as he asks.

MACHINE WHIRS

If you patched the aorta instead of putting in a graft,

you wouldn't have to put the patient on bypass.

It would significantly reduce the recovery time.

But there's a chance it might not hold

and her blood pressure is already a risk factor.

Well, I'd recommend having a CT scan to get a closer look

at the pseudoaneurysm first,

but, I mean, it's at least worth considering.

Well, I appreciate your input, but she's still my patient.

If it's too far out of your comfort zone...

Seriously?

Good. That's settled.

I'm overdue downstairs, but I'll see you in theatre.

I trust you'll extend every courtesy to Professor Cornell until then.

So, what brings you all the way to Holby?

Connie's itching to be transferred home,

so I thought I'd check the facilities

and make sure you're adequately prepared.

Surely that's Oncology.

This is one of the leading cardiothoracic centres

in the country. These, too, please. Thank you.

I don't doubt it, but the personal touch never did any harm.

Well, I will book that scan for Sergeant Hobbes

and I'll consider the patch, but let me be clear about one thing -

I'm leading this operation.

My ward, my rules.

As it should be.

A bit "stethoscopes at dawn", isn't it?

I can handle it.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, I'm fine.

SHE GRUNTS

SHE EXHALES

-LIFT CHIMES

-Doors opening...

If it's that bad, what do you think Ric is having to deal with?

Well, I'm sure he's keeping his head down.

What if someone's using him as a punchbag, or worse?

You can't think like that.

I mean, it's Ric - he'll be keeping out of trouble.

I guess we'll find out this afternoon, right?

Are you still on for 12.30?

Yeah.

Yeah, OK.

Now, let me guess -

I need to give up smoking and get more exercise.

That's always pretty good advice,

but I'm afraid it's something more pressing.

HE COUGHS You're telling me.

Is there any chance you could up the meds?

Are you in a great deal of pain?

Agony, Mr Levy.

-Well, I've already given you 100 milligrams of morphine...

-Oh.

..but I'm more concerned by the extent of your internal injuries,

so I want to do a laparotomy, OK,

just to find out what we're dealing with.

What's all this?

I'm sorry?

I sent everyone one an e-mail with strict instructions.

Yeah, yeah, I read it.

OK, well, security presence, good, but why isn't he in handcuffs?

Don't worry, he never leaves my sight.

I think we've got it covered cos I don't think he's going anywhere.

He's a convicted criminal. Give him an inch, he'll take a mile.

Don't mind me. No offence taken.

Don't bother with the charm offensive.

Fletch, can I have a word?

-WHISPERING:

-He says he knows Ric.

Look, I don't care if he's on first-name terms with the Pope,

the cuffs stay on.

HE GROANS

How long have you served?

-KEYPAD BEEPS

-Coming up for 12 years.

You must be glad to be back.

Are you kidding?

Out there, riding fire with the best of them, that's home.

Ain't nothing and nobody for me here.

No-one's going to sit by my bed

and tell me everything's going to be OK.

Right, let's get on with this, shall we?

CIARA GASPS

-Can I help you?

-I'm fine.

Please, let me help you.

SHE EXHALES

Thanks.

SHE EXHALES

Jac...

Don't start.

I'm telling you, he knows something.

What if Ric's in some kind of trouble?

He'll say anything. You know what they're like.

What, he's a criminal so you can't trust a word he says?

I can't imagine why he would lie.

So tell Donna the truth, then.

What, that a battered con says she's not welcome?

I can't say that to her.

All right, I'll be bad cop if you want.

I'll tell her that she's needed here and she's got to work through.

Thank you.

-I just hope he's on the level...

-DANNY SPLUTTERS

-..and this isn't an excuse to stare at nurses all day long.

-Mr Levy!

That's disgusting, Danny!

-It just came out of nowhere.

-I'm guessing this isn't a good sign.

-We'll have to get him into theatre.

-I'll enlist an anaesthetist.

If you insist on joining us, you'll have to scrub in.

Right, having reviewed your results, I would still recommend

the frozen elephant trunk procedure as your best option.

But there's another.

Not one I'd recommend.

But that other doctor said...

We could do a thoracotomy and stitch on an aortic patch,

but if the patch fails, then you're at risk of paralysis.

But there's a quicker recovery time -

it means I could be in action sooner?

Yes, as little as six weeks.

Six weeks?

Take some time to think it over.

It is your decision, but please don't make it lightly.

I don't know which one of you has more to prove.

Excuse me?

Well, you've just had multiple surgeries after a traumatic injury.

Oh, God, really? I'd totally forgotten about that.

I saw what happened in the scan room. I can step in.

Let me stop you right there.

I'm only going to say this once more - I am fine.

I do not need a babysitter,

and I certainly don't need to be patronised someone like you.

Imagine my surprise.

If you can't get on board with this, then take over the CABGs.

You won't be missed.

-ESSIE:

-Well, there must be some mistake.

Are you absolutely certain?

Yeah, yeah...

Well, no, I will. I will. Thank you.

SHE SIGHS

Sounds like somebody's giving you a hard time.

My husband's will.

It hit me out of nowhere when it arrived in the post this morning.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking.

I thought everything was sorted after the funeral,

but obviously not.

Well, at least you know you've got some security.

That's something, right?

We'd barely just settled down.

I didn't think I'd have to be dealing with stuff like this

until we were well into our old age.

Why don't I put the kettle on? Call it elevenses?

No, I'm fine, thanks. Honestly.

Forgive me - I couldn't help overhearing.

Is Raf's estate giving you trouble?

No, I suppose it's something we should've discussed

one rainy afternoon, but I just wasn't prepared for it.

It's never easy, is it? Could I be of any help?

No, it's just something I've got to process, that's all.

No rush.

-Could you please book Mr Kurzweil in for an MRI?

-Yeah, of course.

-I have to deal with this, but I'll join you soon.

-OK.

Hi, Mr Kurzweil.

Is it my eyes, or are the nurses around here getting prettier?

-SHE CHUCKLES

-Well, that depends.

Have you been admitted with blurred vision?

Yeah, a few times,

but it's much worse than that now, I'm afraid.

-Oh?

-I'm dying.

-I'm sorry?

-Oh, there's no two ways about it.

I've checked all the symptoms.

Why don't we wait and see what your MRI results are before

-you jump to con...?

-There's no need for your delicate bedside manner.

No, I'm all squared away.

Now, this old body can go to the knacker's yard for all I care,

as long as the brain goes on.

And how would we do that?

Well, I'm glad you've asked.

You see, I'm gonnae live forever.

SHE GASPS

MACHINE BEEPS STEADILY

The bleeding is coming from the spleen.

He must have taken a right kicking.

I'm going to have to remove it.

Scissors, please. Thanks, Lisa.

-Did you know about this agency nurse that didn't turn up?

-Sorry?

Well, Fletch said they let him down,

so I have to work the afternoon shift.

Oh, that's a shame.

Retractor, please.

MACHINERY HISSES

Swab.

Thank you.

There must be someone else who can do it.

Apparently not.

What about Lofty?

He's on leave, I think.

What is Ric going to think when I don't show up?

I'll explain it to him, you know?

Don't worry about it.

Yeah, I'm sure he'll understand.

I suppose.

You will send him my love, though, won't you?

Of course.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Go away!

Only me.

Did I not make myself clear?

I just thought I'd drop in and see how you were doing.

You don't have to keep checking up on me every five minutes.

You've been through a lot, and there's no shame in it

if you need to offload a bit of stuff onto Frieda.

Yeah, that's really going to happen.

Slow and steady wins the race, that's all I'm saying.

Emma's birthday?

Yes, last Sunday. Johnny had her over the weekend,

and we've agreed he should step down from the extra dad duties now,

-so he's bringing her home tonight.

-Yeah, that'll be nice.

Do you want me to write it?

Because that wouldn't be weird at all.

Jac...

So, back to being a full-time mum.

Bath and bed.

Are you good with all that?

OK, well, if you need anything, you know where I am.

DOOR CLOSES

Thank you.

So, Mr Kurzweil, we have got your scan results,

I know what you're going to say.

We found an irregular mass sitting between

the two hemispheres of the brain.

Well, don't tell me. It's inoperable.

Well, that's not exactly clear at present.

However, there are a number of options.

Don't waste your breath, Prof. Don't give me the long faces.

I told you, I'm prepared.

Mr Kurzweil, you understand we're not necessarily talking about

a terminal condition?

You see, you're still thinking two-dimensionally, my dear.

You know, flesh and blood is transitory,

but consciousness, the true essence of what makes us who we are,

well, that is only as limited as our ability to store it.

Hang on, are we talking digital immortality?

Exactly! Yes!

You see, I've been investing heavily in a company out in Silicon Valley,

and they are on the verge of a breakthrough in neural mapping.

-Sounds like science fiction to me.

-No, no, no, no, no ,no.

-The Hanover Institute of Digital Medical Research.

-Yes.

They're making great strides,

building digital reconstructions of rodent brains.

-Yes!

-Well, the human phase can't be far behind, can it?

Are you seriously planning on uploading your brainwaves

onto a computer?

Ah, well, there is a wee bit more to it than that, but yes.

I mean, I just have to put my affairs in order

and then get my grey matter out there to California.

I know this is a lot for you to process,

so if there's anyone we can call for you? A partner, children?

My stockbroker.

Now, I need to sink every last penny into this digital immortality

while I've still got the time.

Well, I wish you luck, Mr Kurzweil.

Don't forget to drop us a line from the other side.

MR KURZWEIL LAUGHS You'd better believe it.

You're seriously not going along with this?

I'm indulging it, at least until we find we out

what kind of mass we're dealing with.

He's probably being conned out of his life savings

by some pie-in-the-sky tech start-up.

Seems rather well informed to me. Wouldn't you want to live forever?

I'm guessing I can't have these on the operating table.

Will you hold on to them for me, please?

Of course.

You're sure you understand all the risks?

If it means I can join up with the squadron in time,

it's what I have to do.

I'm sure they won't miss you for a few more months.

I can't sit it out on the sidelines -

not when everyone's sacrificed so much.

You lost someone.

Cuthbert.

Mike.

Guys called him Pinocchio - obvious reasons if you saw him.

He would have turned 30 this year.

I came home in a wheelchair... and he came home in a box.

I'm sorry.

I owe him...

..big time.

I admire your commitment, but you don't have to rush

back into action to honour his memory.

It's where I belong.

I'm just saying, a few months out of the firing line

might not be such a bad thing.

I saw what happened here on the news.

You think you're safe behind the lines,

but there's really no such thing.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up.

A porter will be along shortly.

KEY RATTLES

DOOR CLANGS SHUT

MACHINE BEEPS

BP is stable. 100 over 88.

OK. The patch is in place.

Excellent. Ready for me to take over?

She's all yours.

-MACHINE CHIMES

-BP is dropping.

OK, we have a bleed from the suture line.

Swab. Keep the pressure there. 4-0 Prolene please.

Jac.

Stay focused, Petrenko.

Do you need me to scrub in?

Jac...

I am dealing with it.

-SACHA:

-So, why the cloak-and-dagger routine?

I don't want her to see me like this.

And with good reason, by the looks of it.

How's Danny?

Danny Fincher?

Is that what's on your mind?

He's...

He's in a bad way.

We had to perform a splenectomy,

but it went as well as could be expected.

How do you know him?

You don't need to know the details.

I just need you to keep him at Holby for as long as you can.

OK. All right.

What do you want me to do?

Make whatever excuse you need to - just keep him out of here.

Did you get into a fight with him? Is that it?

-Is that why you look like you look?

-Lower your voice.

If that man is threatening you...

No, it's not like that.

No, I'm fine.

Look, if you're in danger, you have to say something.

-RIC SCOFFS

-It's not so simple.

The important thing is to keep Darla and Kofi away from all this.

So you don't want to see them?

Of course...

Of course I do,

but this is for their own safety.

If this place is that dangerous, you have to speak out.

No. No, it'd just make things worse.

Don't be a martyr.

Promise me that you won't interfere.

BELL RINGS

Time to wrap it up, please!

I promise.

Sir...

MACHINE CHIMES

OK, the stitch is in place.

Is the patch holding?

BP is stabilising. 110 over 80.

Does that answer your question?

Never doubted you for a second.

OK, let's fire up this glue gun.

I think you can take it from here.

What if I need you?

I'm sure Ms Petrenko can cope.

Besides, it's starting to feel a little overcrowded in here.

X-ray, please.

BUZZER

Excuse me, sir, can I see your ID, please?

-Really? Cos I've just...

-Yes.

Well, if it's strictly necessary.

Thank you.

Bit OTT, all that, isn't it?

Well, needs must, especially with a prisoner on the ward.

How's Ric?

He's...

He's fine, more or less.

More or less?

It's just hard seeing him in a place like that, that's all.

-SHE SIGHS

-I knew I should have gone.

No, no, no. No, he said not to worry.

You know, he's only in there a bit longer,

so I'm sure he can stick it out for a few more weeks.

Let's hope so. I dread to think what he's going through in there.

The sooner he gets out, the better, eh?

Yeah.

Sats are normal, BP is holding steady at 110 over 70.

Not a bad job.

All in a day's work.

It turns out my services weren't required after all.

Well, I don't know. I'd say you served your purpose.

How flattering.

I trust you're satisfied Mrs Beauchamp will be in good hands

when she returns?

Satisfied.

Where did Ms Naylor run off to so quickly, anyway?

Oh, I have no idea.

JAC BREATHES SHARPLY

SHE PANTS

SHE GROANS

SHE SIGHS

We've successfully removed your spleen.

We're going to monitor you for a little while to make sure

you don't develop any infections and that your gut starts to work.

Nice comfy hospital bed beats a prison bunk any day.

Maybe that was the plan all along.

What? You think I took a kicking

just so I could put my feet up in here?

You've been watching too much Porridge, Sacha.

Can I have a word with Mr Fincher in private, please?

I thought we went through all this, this morning.

Yes, well, it's a matter of doctor-patient confidentiality,

so if you wouldn't mind waiting just outside?

Give me a shout if you need me.

Don't cause any trouble.

DOOR OPENS

I think it's time you told me exactly what's going on with Ric.

With Ric? He did let you see him, right?

Yeah. Yeah, I saw him.

He could barely walk, and his lip's been stitched...

What? You think I did that to him?!

Clearly, he's terrified of someone, and if it's not you...!

If it's not you, then it's someone you know.

HE EXHALES Nobody likes a grass.

I say too much and it'll be more than my spleen I lose next time.

DOOR OPENS

Are we done?

Yes, I think so.

ED referral when you're ready.

PHONE RINGS

Jac?

Where are you?

What happened?

Don't be moronic.

-Ow!

-We need to get you into the theatre.

No. You can do it yourself, here.

You're in no position to be giving orders.

Actually, I am.

I swear, this winter vomiting bug has been sent to try me.

-January blues?

-And then some.

If I won the lottery, I would burn these scrubs

and jet off to the Seychelles until spring.

I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say that.

-I know.

-Honestly, I was just joking around.

Inheritance money...

I mean, that's a whole different thing.

You think I should blow the money on holidays and jewellery.

No way. You should do something that would make him proud.

I just wish I knew what that was.

You'll think of something.

-Thank you, Meena.

-MACHINE CHIMES

Mr Kurzweil?

-Is he epileptic?

-Not in his history.

Mr Kurzweil? Are you OK?

Yes and no.

Mostly no.

You've just had a seizure.

Have you had any epileptic episodes before?

I really think I haven't, no.

-I'll find Professor Gaskell.

-Thank you.

HE GROANS

I hope...I hope this doesn't slow things down.

I should...

-Hey.

-I should be putting a call in to the techies in California by now.

No, no, come on, Mr Kurzweil.

Are you sure your time wouldn't be better spent

talking this through with your family?

There must be someone.

No.

Not unless you count an ex-wife who ran off with her nutritionist...

..and I never have.

OK. I'll be back in a minute, OK?

Gemma, can you come and look after him? Thanks.

John, can you take another look at Mr Kurzweil?

He's just had a seizure.

Well, that would be consistent with an infiltrative brain tumour.

Perhaps we should be preparing him for some more bad news.

Yeah, I'm concerned we've missed something

cos he said he's never experienced anything like that before.

All right, why don't you and Dr Chowdhury get him

prepped for a lumbar puncture and send CSF for OCBs?

I'll be back to supervise.

-Where are you going?

-I have an idea.

DOOR CLANGS

Almost forgot what it was like to go to the bathroom in private,

-relatively speaking.

-Don't get used to it.

Sorry, can I have a...can I have a quick word before you go back in?

There's a prisoner on remand. He's a friend of mine.

Between you and me, I'm worried that he might be getting some hassle.

This friend have a name?

Ric. Eric Griffin.

Doesn't ring a bell.

Maybe you could, you know, look him up when you get back,

and keep an eye out for him?

-It's a busy place.

-Yeah, I appreciate that, but...

..I'm concerned that he's got caught up in something serious.

How so?

Him and Danny seem to share very similar injuries.

Did Danny say something to you?

No, no, no. No.

Clearly he's afraid to speak out.

Same goes for your friend, I take it?

I can't just stand by and do nothing.

I'll try and check in on him when I get back -

steer him out of trouble wherever I can.

Thank you.

Thank you. That's a huge relief.

MACHINE CHIMES

CIARA WHEEZES

-Can I get a crash team in here, please?!

-BUZZER

Right, her BP's low and she's tachycardic.

I need to get her into surgery straight away.

Quick as we can. OK?

How are we doing? Are we good?

Yeah? All right, let's go.

Carefully...

Where's Jac and Frieda?

Well, maybe next time you're actually going to listen

when everybody's telling you to take it easy.

You know, your bedside manner really leaves a lot to be desired.

Look who's talking.

-DOOR OPENS

-Jac...

What the hell happened?

-It's a long story. What do you need?

-Shall I go and get Gaskell?

Fletch! What do you need?

It's Ciara. She's arrested. They're taking her to theatre.

-What do you think you're doing?

-My patient needs me.

-Forget it, Professor Cornell can cover it.

-Oh, get out of my way.

HE SIGHS

This is an evoked potential test.

I'm loving it already.

I'm going to monitor your responses to various physical, visual

and auditory stimuli, which should give us a much better idea

of what's going on.

I feel like a mad scientist!

Right, try to relax and listen to the tones.

And now for our feature presentation.

Boys and their toys.

The only reason I became a doctor.

So, is this part of your big research project?

No, no, that concerns intrathecal stem cell therapy -

much more cutting-edge.

Oh, pardon me.

-What?!

-Uh, no, it's...

It's not for you, Mr Kurzweil. Carry on.

It may all come to naught, alas.

Why's that?

It's funding gaps, mainly.

Every time you find a new backer, they want to mould it

in their own image and it all falls apart.

-All is vanity.

-All of humanity, eh?!

Ah, no, no... Don't worry about it, Mr Kurzweil.

-You're going to have to speak louder!

-OK.

You never did answer my question earlier - digital immortality.

Would you want to live forever?

No, not as a string of ones and zeroes up in the cloud.

Yeah, I know it sounds mad when you say it,

but isn't there something seductive about

living beyond our physical bodies?

No, I think I'd rather be remembered for how I lived,

not for trying to cheat death.

We should all be so lucky.

Can you get Kylie Minogue on these, eh?!

SHE CHUCKLES

DANNY GROANS

MACHINE BEEPS

HE SCREAMS

-What happened?

-He jumped me. He tried to rip his tubes out.

-OK, Danny, try and keep still.

-BP's dropping.

His epidural's come out. He could be bleeding internally.

Right, check his haemoglobin, blood gases

-and get 5mg of morphine.

-OK.

-DANNY WHIMPERS

-It's all right. It's all right.

That's it. That's it. Nice and easy. Nice and easy.

GROANING

She's tachycardic, low BP

and she's hypovolemic.

What are you doing in here?

It was an emergency. I was available.

Well, I'm here now.

She's in and out of VF.

This is my patient, so if you wouldn't mind...?

Are you sure that's wise? You don't look well.

I assure you, I'm entirely capable.

I hope that's the truth.

Step aside.

MACHINE BEEPS

Let's get a cannula into her femoral artery and get her on bypass.

Let's also cool her as quickly as possible so I can do

the frozen elephant trunk I should have done in the first place.

That should help with the pain.

Can you tell me what happened?

Accident...

My fault...

Can I have the room, please?

-I shouldn't...

-Right, no lectures!

Anyone who isn't medical staff, I need out of this room.

Sorry. Thank you. Thank you.

This tube hasn't fallen out -

it's been snapped,

which wouldn't happen without considerable force.

Did he do this to you?

Butler?

He's the monkey, not the organ grinder.

But he's involved in some way?

You can't say anything.

It'll only come back on us twice as hard.

I asked him to keep an eye on Ric.

Oh...

I told him he was in danger.

This is quite the reversal of fortunes.

Well, he mentioned the blurred vision this morning, but I just

put it down to another symptom of the tumour until he started seizing.

Excellent spot. Are you sure you're not a neurologist in disguise?

Mr Kurzweil, Good news.

You've got California on the phone?

Better than that.

It turns out your tumour is nothing of the sort.

Sorry, I don't understand.

The source of your neurological symptoms is from

a condition called tumefactive multiple sclerosis.

What presented as a tumour is in fact a demyelinating lesion.

Well, thank you, yeah, that's much clearer.

You're not dying!

-I'm not?

-Oh, don't misunderstand.

It's an incurable condition,

one that will require judicious management,

but it's just not terminal.

I'm not dying.

You must be the only patient I've ever met

who looks disappointed at that.

If I were you, I would ring that stockbroker

and cancel your investment.

But I was going to be immortal.

Time catches up with all of us eventually, Mr Kurzweil.

I'd suggest you make the best of what you have.

Carpe diem.

Except I wouldn't be so cliched.

You know, I did read somewhere that they're planning to set up

space tourism trips to the moon and back as early as next year.

Always after the next big thing...

I've got to make my mark somehow!

What?

Nothing.

You just reminded me of someone, that's all.

I'm going to call my stockbroker.

Danny's injuries go back a long way -

old rib fractures that haven't fully healed.

A lot of stuff doesn't get reported, for obvious reasons.

Yeah, I was checking his records.

It's odd that there's nothing on file,

not even in the prison infirmary.

A prison is a complex ecosystem.

It's easy to misjudge what you don't understand.

Yeah, so I'm beginning to realise.

I think it's best if you call in sick,

and get someone down here to relieve you.

-That'd be a mistake.

-I don't care what excuse you make,

but I don't want you around Danny for a second longer.

You might want to think this through,

especially when you're already so worried about your friend.

Ric, wasn't it? Eric Griffin?

Right, you can rest assured,

if any harm comes to Ric or Danny, I will not hesitate

to have you investigated for your part in it.

It's all right for you, with a cushy number here and a six-figure salary.

You've got no idea what it's like in the real world.

The real world?

A number of my colleagues were shot recently in this very hospital -

friends of mine, good, honest, hard-working people -

so don't you presume to tell me about the "real world"!

Now, are you going to make the call, or do I have to do it for you?

I believe these belong to you.

Thanks.

MACHINE BEEPS STEADILY

We ran into post-operative complications.

The good news is, I was able to perform the graft

that we had originally discussed.

Don't make me ask.

The bad news is, because of the extra pressure on your spine,

you're looking at a longer recovery time.

How much longer?

I'm going to have to sign you off active duty for at least six months.

I'm also going to recommend you for psychological evaluation

before you return to active duty.

Well, you can't do that.

I saw the relief in your face just then.

Is it that obvious?

Only to someone who knows the signs.

Oh, so you're not just a surgeon, you're a psychiatrist too?

Pinocchio...

..it was my fault.

He didn't make it back because of me.

That's survivor's guilt talking.

No...

It was friendly fire.

Everything we went through out there, and...

it was...

It was one of my bullets that killed him.

I should be out there, trying to finish what he started,

making amends in some way, but instead...

..all I want to do is crawl away and hide.

And what does that make me?

Human.

What are you doing?

What does it look like?

SHE SNIFFLES

Right, I just got off the phone with the prison,

and they're going to send a replacement for Luke Butler.

-SHE SIGHS

-Hopefully before 6.00.

It's like the fox guarding the henhouse, innit?

-At least Danny can sleep easy tonight.

-Mmm.

Since when did it become so difficult

to be able to tell the good guys from the bad guys, eh?

Just like Fredrik.

Do you know, I was supposed to be his mentor?

I could have done something.

I could have said something...

Hey, come on...

Are you sure we shouldn't call the police?

If this Luke guy's dodgy...

No, no. There's no evidence.

Besides, it'll only make it worse for Danny.

No, at least this way we know who to keep an eye on.

And what about Ric?

He'll be... He's.... He'll be fine.

OK. I just wish there was something we could do.

PHONE RINGS

HMP Holby.

Hello, yes, this is Sacha Levy calling from Holby City Hospital.

Hold on.

Yeah.

Yeah, could you connect me to the prison infirmary, please?

You were right about her.

She really doesn't take any prisoners, does she?

I trust you two didn't come to blows in theatre?

On the contrary, I was very impressed.

What you said is right - put on the pressure and she comes alive.

I don't recall using those words exactly.

-I might poach her when I get back to London.

-Just you try it!

Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting anything in my office.

Not at all. How's the patient?

Stable, but the patch is a write-off.

Better to try and fail than fail to try.

Not when it puts my patient's life in danger.

I think my work here is done.

Arianne, always a pleasure.

I owe you a favour.

Hm, promises, promises.

I never could understand how Connie Beauchamp ended up

in emergency medicine.

Funny, the turns a career will take when you take your eye off the ball,

don't you think?

How much did you tell her?

Nothing she couldn't see for herself.

Is that why you really brought her here?

To second guess my performance?

On the contrary. I know you're capable of true brilliance, Jac.

I just want to see you excel.

Flattery aside, I don't appreciate

being railroaded into surgery like that.

I wouldn't say railroaded.

Your patient is going to be fine, you appear to be back in the saddle.

That's what counts, isn't it?

Erm...

I reckon I owe you an apology.

I'm listening.

Yeah, I might have been a bit quick to judge you this morning.

You and everybody else.

I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry.

No hard feelings?

Cheers.

Right, Mr Fincher.

I've found you a bed on Keller Ward

where we can keep an eye on you for the rest of the week.

For real?

Well, better safe than sorry.

Then you'll be referred back to the prison infirmary

with our mutual friend.

That'll keep you out of trouble - for a little while, at least.

How did you manage that?

I managed to pull a few strings with the prison doctor.

Ric's name carries a certain amount of weight in medical circles.

-Not sure he'll thank you for it.

-Yeah, probably not,

but I'd rather him safe in there than out here on a stretcher.

Thank you, Mr Levy. Thank you very much.

It's the least I could do.

John?

I just wondered if I could take a look at your research proposal.

-Tryptophan is better for insomnia.

-I'm being serious.

Why the sudden interest?

Well, Raf was always interested in that kind of thing

and I never had a chance to share in it with him.

Yeah, I read one of his papers -

therapeutic hypothermia post-cardiac resuscitation -

when I was in Switzerland.

-Really?

-Fascinating stuff.

-I only wish I'd had the chance to work with him.

-Maybe you still can.

I don't follow.

I mentioned Raf's inheritance earlier.

Is this going where I think it's going?

He should have the kind of legacy that he truly deserves.

He was a man of medicine, a man of science,

and he would have loved to have been a part of what you're trying to do,

so I would like to make a donation to your project in his name.

I couldn't possibly accept.

I've been thinking about this all day

and this is what he would have wanted.

Are you sure? You don't need a couple of days to think about it?

No, I've made up my mind.

You could put it to good use, couldn't you?

-I would be honoured.

-Then it's settled.

"Thank you" hardly seems adequate.

Don't thank me.

Thank Raf.

Make him proud.

You have my word.

Are you bumping CABGs?

I'm giving them to you.

As a reward or a punishment?

I'll leave that entirely up to you.

Oh, just admit it - you need me.

Uh...

Where will you be if anybody needs you?

Home.

It's time.

I know nobody wanted to say it, maybe because of Hanssen,

but mostly because of me.

Are you sure you're ready?

I made a decision today.

Raf's inheritance...

..I'm going to donate it

to Professor Gaskell's stem-cell research.

And that's really what you want?

It's not enough that he's just remembered.

He should survive it in this way.

That way, he can get to keep saving lives even though he's gone.

This is what Raf would have wanted...

..a shot at immortality.