QUOTES: 1989 Part 1




[Brenda is surprised to find Dan, whom she has never met, in Larry's office with his feet up on Larry's desk]
Brenda: Who are you, and what are you doing with your feet up on Dr. Wolek's desk?
Dan: Hi there. I don't believe we've met. Your name is?
Brenda: You just never mind what my name is. I'm a nurse in this hospital, and I have a right to be here, whereas I don't think that you do, and I'd like for you to explain yourself.


Brenda: You get out of this office right now, or I'm calling security.
Dan: Do you moonlight as a pitbull?


[Brenda is embarrassed when Larry tells her that Dan is his son]
Dan: I was about to introduce myself before you attacked me ferociously.
Brenda: Oh!
Dan: But instead I had to defend myself. (sticking out his hand) Daniel Wolek, MD.
Brenda: (shaking his hand) I'm Brenda McGillis, and I'm a nurse here. I'm a friend of your father's.
Dan: Obviously.
Larry: What happened between you?
Brenda: Oh, Larry, I walked in here, and he had his feet up on your desk, and he was reading through the files, and -- and then I just, you know, attacked him.
Dan: Like a pit bull.
Brenda: Yeah!
Dan: It was a great speech, Dad. The residents should be very impressed. Only I would tone down the part about what a privilege and honor it is to be a resident here. It was just a -- just a bit too much.


Dan: (about Brenda) Does she always come on so strong?
Larry: Yeah, she's quite wonderful.
Dan: And a little pregnant. Are running around with a married or an unmarried pregnant woman, Father?
Larry: The father of the baby was killed before they got a chance to get married.
Dan: Oh, I'm -- I'm sorry.
Larry: Yeah, it's -- it's rough. But she's coping pretty well, and -- what can I say? We really, uh, enjoy each other.
Dan: Well, I got it.


Brenda: Dan, I'm awful sorry about coming down on you so hard in there.
Dan: Hey, hey, that's quite all right. I appreciate your fierce protection of my father and his office.


[Brenda has just helped Dan with a sick patient]
Brenda: Well, Dan, that was some very quick thinking on your part.
Dan: You think I'll get in trouble for taking over when I haven't even officially started here yet?
Brenda: No! Are you kidding? That was an emergency.
Dan: Ah, well, that's too bad. Because I don't know how to operate unless I'm in a hostile atmosphere.


[Dan runs into Brenda and Larry kissing in the stairwell]
Dan: You know, you might want to try the supply closet next time. You'll have more privacy in there.


[Dan talks to Larry privately after catching him with Brenda in the stairwell]
Dan: Well, if you want my blessings, you've got them. I like Brenda.
Larry: Thank you.
Dan: She seems like your type.
Larry: Yeah, what's my type?
Dan: Well, honest, straightforward -- you know, down-to-earth.


[Dan learns that Brenda has toxemia and that Larry is consulting with Brenda's OB-GYN]
Dan: Well, Dad, you know, I'd really like to consult on that. You know, I've done a lot of toxemia stuff over at New York General.
Larry: Dan, thank you, I really appreciate your concern, but I think, uh, two doctors are enough, don't you?


[Dan has just taken care of a badly injured and unconscious Wade]
Brenda: You were terrific in there -- I mean that. I'm really impressed with the way you handled Wade.
Dan: Thanks. A compliment from a super nurse -- that's great.
Brenda: Yeah, well, just hold on a minute, because I have a criticism here.
Dan: Oh, I knew it was too good to be true.


[Dan gets upset after Brenda criticizes his bedside manner]
Brenda: You are a real arrogant son of a gun -- do you know that?
Dan: Well, thank you. I'll add that to my list of compliments for the day.
Brenda: And if I didn't know for sure that you were Larry's son, I'd --
Dan: What, Brenda? What? What? Go ahead and say it. That you can't believe that swell Larry Wolek could have produced a cruel and insensitive offspring? Well, you know what? Maybe you should take a refresher course in basic genetics.
Brenda: And maybe you should take a refresher course in basic manners, Dan.


[Larry is happy with how Dan handled Wade]
Larry: You did just great, son.
Dan: (to Brenda) Well, I could have done better, right, nurse?
Larry: What's going on here? What happened?
Dan: Well, Brenda gave me a lesson in bedside manners.
Brenda: Listen, if I was out of line --
Dan: No, no, no, hey, hey, don't back away from it. I like a nurse with fire and passion, especially when they're right. I appreciate your honesty, Brenda. I'll apologize to Mari Lynn, and I'll use your advice in dealing with patients' families in the future. Friends?
[Dan offers his hand to Brenda, and she shakes it]
Brenda: Yeah, friends.


[Brenda has had a setback with her toxemia]
Brenda: I'm just gonna have to realize that I just don't have a handle on this. I just hope it's not too late.
Dan: Hey, too late for dancing, maybe, but not too late for a full-term pregnancy.


[Dan insists he wants to consult on Brenda's case]
Larry: Dan, don't argue with me on this, please. Please. Brenda's not your patient.


[Dr. DeSalvo thinks that Brenda should terminate her pregnancy, upsetting Dan]
Larry: Dan, DeSalvo has given us his expert opinion. Do not challenge him.
Dan: What are you doing? Are you agreeing with him? Dad, what are you going to do? You're going to march in there and tell Brenda she might lose her child??


Dan: I'm just gonna warn you, Dad. I'm gonna fight you on this. I'm gonna let Brenda know she does have another choice. She does not have to listen to DeSalvo or to you.


Larry: Now, you listen to me, hotshot. This is Brenda's decision. It's not mine, and it's not yours!
Dan: Yes, but she'll probably do what you suggest her to do anyway! Even though she did say she'd rather die than lose Steven's child.
Larry: Is that what you want?
Dan: Of course not!
Larry: Well, it certainly sounds like it.
Dan: Just like it sounds to me that you're too willing to sacrifice her child.


Larry: I am not standing here and arguing with a resident over this.
Dan: Oh, right, I'm just only a lousy resident, whereas you -- you're the man who's in love with Brenda. Don't you think that's coloring your decision?


[Dan comes through the door with a basket of beautiful red and yellow and white flowers]
Dan: Look at what I found in the gift shop.
Brenda: (laughing) Aren't they lovely!
Dan: A reminder that spring is on the way!


[Brenda wants Dan to run tests to investigate issues with her pregnancy]
Dan: Brenda, I'm not your physician. I'd need your permission to do something like that --
Brenda: "My permission" to do that?? I am not going to ask your permission. I am demanding that you do it! Dan, I'll do anything and everything to save my baby's life and my own.


[Larry is furious when he learns Dan ran blood tests for Brenda without Larry’s permission]
Larry: I want you out of here, Dan. Out! Right now, out!
[Dan starts to leave until Brenda calls after him]
Brenda: No, Dan, you wait a minute! God, I don't want to do this, Larry, but you're forcing me into it. I want you off of my case right now, and I want Dan to be my physician.


[Larry is upset with Brenda]
Larry: Suppose this weren't your case. Suppose this were -- if this were your patient, you'd be pretty horrified at watching an intelligent woman ignore the -- the scientific evidence and her own medical knowledge. You'd be pretty horrified watching her dismiss her doctor because he won't give her the prognosis she wants and then let a -- a resident take over her case because the resident will tell her what she wants to hear. Now, that's -- that's foolish, Brenda! That's hysterical!


Larry: (about Dan) Hey, he's a bright, intelligent kid. He's got a high IQ and a lot of common sense. But he took an oath, and he's ignoring that oath by treating you.
Brenda: No, he is not! He is acting very compassionately. He has listened to his patient, and he is trying to help me.
Larry: No, he thinks he is. I question his judgement as a physician.


Larry: Brenda, none of us likes this -- this prognosis! But we can't ignore it! Dan is doing exactly that, and if you were seeing things objectively, you'd -- you'd question Dan, too.
Brenda: Boy, you really do have your rights and wrongs just lined up right like that. You just don't have any room for anybody else's opinions, do you?
Larry: Not when it comes to risking your life! Especially when Dan's opinion was never asked for, never wanted. He jumped into the middle of this thing against my wishes. Then he intruded himself in a meeting with DeSalvo. And now against my authority and my advice, he's taken on your case.
Brenda: I am the patient here, and you really resent the fact that I've gotten another doctor, especially that it's your son -- isn't that right?


Brenda: Larry, I just want to say to you -- if you cannot find a way to understand where I'm coming from and where Dan's coming from, man, we are in for big trouble.


[Dan has had some discouraging news from his contact in New York about Brenda’s pregnancy]
Larry: Are you ready to take yourself off her case?
Dan: (firmly) No, especially since the patient hasn't requested that.
Larry: Dan, we both know that Brenda's overwrought and not very rational.
Dan: Dad, you cannot drag her into the operating room, tie her down to a bed, and perform a caesarian!
Larry: I know that.
Dan: Yes, but that's what you'd like to do, and that's why she's reacting to you in this way. She turned to me because I accept her choice.
Larry: You feed it! Because you feed it, Dan! And you're giving her hope where there is none.


Larry: You can redeem yourself a little by resigning from her case right now.
Dan: (glaring at Larry defiantly) Not unless she wants me to.


[Dan is worried after Larry got in his head about the danger of letting Brenda's pregnancy progress]
Dan: Brenda, are you positive that you want to go through with this?
Brenda: Yes, I am positive. Please, I don't want to go through this anymore. Just stop there.
Dan: Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Otherwise, I'm not being responsible.
Brenda: Well, you are being responsible. You've listened to what I wanted, and you're just trying to help me. You are helping me.
[Brenda reaches her hand out to touch Dan's side, and he takes her arm affectionately until he sees Larry approaching them from down the hall]


Larry: You are hereby suspended from Brenda's case.
Dan: Suspended? By whose authority?
Larry: By the Chief of Staff's authority. And if you go near Brenda again, or give her any advice, you're gonna be suspended from all duties.
Dan: You know, I don't believe you! You know, I know you're in love with the woman, but to bulldoze my career --


Dan: You know, you'd do anything to prove that you're the only one who knows anything, even at the expense of Brenda's child!
Larry: I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that.


[Brenda is at home when she gets a knock on the door -- it's Dan]
Brenda: Well, looky here!
Dan: Hi.
Brenda: Who says that doctors don't make house calls anymore?


Brenda: I just thought that I could convalesce a lot better here, especially without the --
Dan: Go on -- without having my father and I hovering around, fighting over your condition.
Brenda: Well, you have to admit that that wasn't helping matters very much, was it?


[Dan has told Brenda that Larry has taken Dan off of Brenda's case]
Dan: The Chief of Staff agrees with him. He's on your case, and I'm off.
Brenda: Dan, you are my doctor! You're the one who agrees with me on this thing!
Dan: Yeah, well, let's just try and be more fair than he is. He's a pro. He's trying to do things by the book.
Brenda: Right. That means risking my child's life by terminating this pregnancy too early.
Dan: Brenda, that is not going to happen. Not if I have anything to say about it.


Dan: Dad and that specialist, Dr. DeSalvo, are trying -- are gonna try their damndest to talk you into ending the pregnancy.
Brenda: Well, you know what? They can talk all they want to, 'cause they are not getting this baby.
Dan: You know, when you say it like that, you make me believe you can take on the whole hospital yourself.


Brenda: I want to know how come somebody gets to tell me who my doctor is. I want you, Dan. Now, that should be the end of it.
Dan: Well, it's a more complicated situation than that, Brenda.


Brenda: With some -- and some rest and a proper diet, I don't think we're gonna have anything to worry about, Dan.
Dan: Oh, you don't know me very well, Brenda. I'll worry more if I'm not on your case. I'm sorry, but there is no way that you or Larry or anyone else is going to get rid of me now.
Brenda: Oh, Dan, that is going to cause so --
Dan: No argument, Nurse McGillis.


[Brenda and Dan are playing cards]
Brenda: So this is your idea of radical therapy, huh?
Dan: Well, first we start with Goldfish, and if that doesn't work, then we try Double Solitaire. And even in very severe cases, Dr. Wolek has even opted for poker.
Brenda: Strip, no doubt!
Dan: Well, don't knock it 'til you've tried it, Nurse McGillis.
Brenda: (flirtily) Who says I haven't tried it?


Dan: I'm a brilliant physician, aren't I?
Brenda: That's what you keep telling me.
Dan: Yes, well, thank you. So trust me.


Dan: Give me all your kings.
Brenda: (organizing her cards) Oh, I haven't played this silly game in so long. Let's see.
Dan: Yeah, I knew it! I knew it! She's hustling me! I bet you you're hoarding all the kings so you can pounce and win the pile.
Brenda: What are you gonna do? You're gonna write this up in the Journal of Llanview Medicine or something?
Dan: Yes, well, that's a very good idea, Nurse McGillis. Can I please -- kings? Please?
Brenda: Go fish.
Dan: (to himself) She's hustling me, just like I said!


[Brenda gets the cards ready to shuffle]
Brenda: You want to play some poker?
Dan: Poker?
Brenda: Yeah.
Dan: Are you kidding me? First, I'll lose my shirt, then my pants, and who knows what else?
Brenda: What's the matter? You scared or something?
Dan: Of course I am. I know better than to, uh, test the lady who's on the roll.


Brenda: You know, I have -- it's been so long since I've had something to laugh at, Dan.
Dan: You know, I, uh, I do that every morning when I shave.


Brenda: I just know that you care a lot about the baby, and that's why I want you to be my doctor.
Dan: Yes, well, the baby is very important to me. (pause) So is the baby's mother.
[Brenda and Dan share a look]


[Brenda suggests they play poker]
Dan: Uh, well, you gotta -- you gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Brenda: And know when to walk away and know when to -- run.
Dan: (laughing) Yeah, you know that song?
Brenda: Yeah, I like it. It's one of my favorites.
Dan: Yeah, mine, too.
Brenda: Yeah?
Dan: You know, I know this great country-western place out in the county? And -- well, at least it used to be there before I moved away.
Brenda: You do?
Dan: Yeah. Maybe after the baby's born, we could take a -- a trip out there and catch a show sometime.
Brenda: (shocked) Do you know what you just said?
Dan: (flustered) Well, if -- if you'd rather not go. I didn't mean anything --
Brenda: No, you just said "after the baby's born."
Dan: Well, I told you, Brenda -- you are not gonna lose that child.


[Brenda’s phone rings again and Dan just knows it's Larry]
Dan: Well, he's -- he's persistent. I'll give him that.


[Brenda talks to Larry but does not mention that Dan is there]
Dan: Why didn't you tell him?
Brenda: Tell him what?
Dan: That I was here.
Brenda: What, you want more problems? Haven't we had enough problems for today, Dan?


Dan: Okay! Uh, 7-Card Stud. (flirtily) We're playing for chips, not clothes -- understand?
Brenda: (softly) Deal me in.


[Brenda shares with Dan that Larry changed his mind about her case after feeling the baby kick]
Brenda: You should have seen him. He put my hand there, and he just threw out all arguments that he had with me. They went flying like -- like sagebrush across the prairie.
Dan: Are you telling me that he agrees with your decision?
Brenda: Not only does he agree with my decision -- he's gonna support me full-term to get this baby into the world. Isn't that wonderful?
Dan: That's wonderful!
[Dan happily hugs her]


[Brenda and Dan hope that Larry will reinstate Dan]
Brenda: I'd like to have both of you on my case.
Dan: Well, you know what I think you need?
[He holds up a small paper bag he brought with him]
Dan: I think you need a good, healthy breakfast, my dear.


[Brenda admits she hasn’t eaten yet, and Dan has just brought her some pastries]
Dan: Then I've got perfect timing.
Brenda: (in wonderment) You really do, you know that? You have perfect timing. You were here when I was down and out and everything was horrible, and you're here when everything's great!
Dan: You know, it's terrific to see you smiling again.


[Brenda and Dan are feasting on the muffins he brought]
Brenda: That muffin --
Dan: Try it. It's so good. (whispering) So good.
Brenda: Is it good?
[She pops the piece of muffin into her mouth as Dan stares at her lips]


[Dan and Larry come to an understanding]
Dan: And, Dad, I really -- I understand. What I really want to say is that I hope we stop fighting and we join forces.
Larry: Amen. I'd like that, Dan.
Brenda: I would, too. I'd like to have both of you on our side.
Dan: Yeah, you know, well, with my good looks and his brains --
Larry: (warningly) Hey --
Dan: We could be an unbeatable team. Seriously, though. Brenda, I know I speak for the both of us when I say that we'll do our best to help you bring a healthy baby into this world.
Brenda: Well, I know it'll happen.


[Dan turns to Brenda as he is about to leave]
Brenda: I'll see you.
[He kisses her cheek]
Dan: You take care, okay?
Brenda: Yeah.
[Dan steps away from her but keeps his hand on her arm reassuringly]
Dan: I'll see you.