Brenda and Larry were talking at the hospital when Brenda suddenly became dizzy, prompting Larry to quickly help her into a chair.

Larry: Now, sit down. All right, okay, now, tell me exactly what you feel.
Brenda: I feel dizzy, and I feel weak, and I can't focus on anything!
Larry: Take a big, deep breath. Deep breath. That's it.
Brenda: What is it? The toxemia? What is it?

A young nurse, Sharon, rushes over to them.

Sharon: Is there anything that I can do?
Larry: Yeah, we'll need a gurney. I want you to call admissions and get a room for Brenda, stat.
Sharon: Right!

She rushes off.

Larry: Okay, hold on.
Brenda: Oh, God --
Larry: All right.

Dan arrives and rushes over to Brenda's side and immediately takes her hand, which Larry notices.

Brenda: Oh, what is it?
Dan: It's -- it's me. It's me, Dan, Brenda. Just relax. We'll get some answers as soon as we can run some tests.
Brenda: What -- am I going blind here or something? Larry, you do whatever you have to do, but you just don't let Steve's baby die.

--end scene--

When the scene returns, Brenda has been moved into a room, and Dan is checking her blood pressure while Sharon gives her some medicine and Larry checks his notes.

Dan: It's still high, Dad.
Larry: Okay, let me check your eyes, Brenda.
Brenda: What was that that I just took, Larry?
Larry: Diazepam -- we give you that to calm you down, lower your blood pressure.

He takes out his small flashlight to check her eyes.

Larry: Okay, follow the light. To the right. Okay, well, your eyes look fine now.
Brenda: Yeah, they -- they've cleared up a little bit now.

Larry holds Brenda's face in his hands.

Brenda: Boy, it was just terrifying there for a minute.
Larry: I know. I know.
Sharon: You need me anymore?
Larry: Oh, no, thanks, Sharon. You can go back to the station. Thank you.
Brenda: Thanks, Sharon.

Sharon leaves, and Brenda becomes despondent.

Brenda: What, is this my fault here, Larry? I mean, I started feeling good and like I was strong and healthy, and I just forgot that there was any danger!
Dan: Brenda --
Brenda: I thought the danger was all over.
Dan: Brenda, you cannot blame yourself for having this. Some women develop it -- others don't.

Larry clocks the way Dan has stepped in to reassure Brenda in a very familiar way.

Brenda: And it just seems like no matter how healthy I am, how little stress I put myself under, how little I work, these episodes keep happening.
Larry: Honey, that just proves our point. This is totally out of your control. Now, you can do the right things, and that helps, but the danger's still there.
Brenda: What are we gonna do?
Larry: Well, right now I want you to relax and let the medication take effect. Now, I, uh, do you remember I talked to Dr. DeSalvo, the toxemia expert?
Brenda: Yeah, the man who was coming to Llanview that you wanted to have a conference with that I said I didn't need, the fool that I am.
Larry: Well, he has agreed to look into your case and -- and, uh, give us his opinion of the best treatment possible.
Brenda: Well, good. 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.

Again, Larry clocks Dan's familiar joking with Brenda.

Brenda: Dancing!
Larry: Brenda, you just calm down, relax -- let the tranquilizer take effect. You just got with it and doze off, all right?
Brenda: Okay. Boy, I sure like having this father-and-son team on my side here.

Brenda clasps Larry's arm, and when she removes her hand, Dan takes it in his own.

Brenda: Thank you.

Dan leaves the room, and Brenda addresses Larry.

Brenda: I'm gonna relax.

Larry kisses her on the forehead, and then he joins Dan out in the hallway, while Brenda cuddles a pillow sadly. Outside of her room, Dan pounces on Larry.

Dan: Dad, I want to be in on the conference with Dr. DeSalvo.
Larry: You've got your orientation session, Dan.
Dan: I already know my way around the hospital.
Larry: Dan, it's a requirement -- every resident has to go through the orientation. I'll tell you what DeSalvo says.
Dan: No, but I assisted a doctor at New York General, Dad, and he had a patient with severe toxemia. I learned an incredible amount.
Larry: Dan, don't argue with me on this, please. Please. Brenda's not your patient.

Dan, stung, leaves, as Larry stares after him, worried. Then Larry goes back into Brenda's room, where she is praying.

Brenda: Oh, please. Dear God, please.

--end scene--

When the scene returns, Larry is by the nurses' station with Dr. DeSalvo, and Dan wastes no time coming over to join them.

Dan: Hi, Dad.
Larry: Dan. Uh, Dr. DeSalvo, my son, Dan. He's a resident here.
Dr. DeSalvo: Oh, nice to meet you.

DeSalvo and Dan shake hands.

Dan: Pleasure to meet you, too, sir.
Dr. DeSalvo: I'm envious. Do you know my son chose to be a CPA rather than follow in his old father's footsteps.

Larry grins and clasps Dan's shoulder proudly, but Dan is not here for small talk.

Dan: I know the patient personally, Dr. DeSalvo, and I'm very interested in her case. Would you mind if I, uh, sat in on this consultation?

Larry looks at Dan in shock, but DeSalvo doesn't seem to notice, and Dan ignores his father.

Dr. DeSalvo: Oh, no, not at all.
Dan: Thank you.

Dan glares at Larry as DeSalvo consults his notes.

Dr. DeSalvo: Well, I can't give you much encouragement, Larry.
Dan: Say we can get her stabilized and institute more vigorous therapy -- then I think we've got a shot.
Dr. DeSalvo: Well, so far she hasn't responded to therapy in any way. I mean, not for any length of time.
Dan: What -- are you suggesting we just throw up our hands?
Dr. DeSalvo: Well, based on my experience, I would recommend, uh, a termination of the pregnancy just as soon as possible.

Larry holds his head in his hands, but Dan pushes on.

Dan: But why immediately?
Dr. DeSalvo: Because the patient is running out of time. She's facing death.

--end scene--

Dr. DeSalvo: You both look as though this prognosis has never occurred to you.
Larry: You got to understand, Dr. DeSalvo -- Brenda's a very close friend and a colleague, and to hear something like this is very difficult.
Dan: You're saying that there's nothing more we can do? Just nothing?
Dr. DeSalvo: Well, only becuase it's all on the paper here.

DeSalvo consults Brenda's file.

Dr. DeSalvo: I mean, every episode this woman has experienced is worse than the one before. I mean, she is nearing a pre-eclampsia stage. It's a very severe stage. Now, the odds are pre-eclampsia will set in within three or four days. She'll probably lose the baby. She could lapse into a comma.
Dan: (shaking his head) No.
Dr. DeSalvo: Yeah, and die.
Dan: I -- I -- no, I can't buy it. I just can't. No disrespect to you, sir, but I worked with a patient at New York General who had progressed to eclampsia, and we were able to save both her and her child.
Dr. DeSalvo: That's a very fortunate woman, Dan, and a rare incident. Now, I would estimate that McGillis's case would probably be less than 25%.
Dan: Yes, but she is young --
Larry: Dan!
Dan: -- and otherwise healthy!
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??
Larry: Yes, if that's how things sound, yes, I am!

With father and now son yelling at each other, DeSalvo quickly interjects.

Dr. DeSalvo: All right, it's all right. It takes many years practice before you learn to separate your emotions from the facts.

Dan laughs in disbelief.

Dr. DeSalvo: Now, I must be going. I've got another appointment.
Larry: Doctor, uh, thank you very much for the consultation.

Larry and DeSalvo shake hands.

Dr. DeSalvo: Well, I'm sorry I couldn't give you more optimistic prognosis.
Larry: Yeah.
Dr. DeSalvo: Dan. Good luck.

DeSalvo puts out his hand, and Dan reluctantly shakes it.

Dan: Yes, thank you.

DeSalvo leaves, and Dan turns on Larry.

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.

--end scene--

Larry pokes Dan's chest with his finger.

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: That's ridiculous.
Dan: No, what's ridiculous is your refusal to explore any more options, Dad!
Larry: Dan, you seem to think there are unlimited options. There are none! Every episode of toxemia is getting progressively worse. Now, what she faces right now is -- is a seizure, is coma, and death.
Dan: Maybe. Just maybe! Dad, but we're not even near the stage of eclampsia yet, so why jump to the worst conclusions? Dad, DeSalvo is not the only expert on this --
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?

That struck a nerve.

Larry: You get to your orientation meeting where you belong.

Dan storms away from Larry, who looks conflicted.

--end scene--

Larry goes in to see Brenda in her room.

Larry: (taking Brenda's hand) Dr. DeSalvo reviewed your case. Brenda, you're not going to like what he has to say.
Brenda: (crying) He wasn't optimistic, was he?
Larry: Far from it.

Larry doesn't realize that Dan is listening from the doorway.

Larry: Honey, his professional advice is to begin terminating the pregnancy as soon as possible.
Brenda: No! I am not gonna give up my baby, Larry! I don't care what the dangers are! I am not gonna do it!

Dan walks away, looking sad and determined, while Larry hugs Brenda to him.

--end transcript--