Original subtitles

I need a nurse here.

Zippy's going to kill me if I don't get that package

to Logan in 20 minutes.

Somebody want to help me out?

Cos Zippy's code is,

"Neither rain nor sleet nor heat, nor gloom of night."

That's the Post Office!

Zippy never had an original idea in his life.

What's the problem?

Want to wrap this leg for me?

Why?

Because it's showtime!

Whoa, slow down, slow down.

Are you kidding? The circus is in town.

A couple of clowns came by to put on a show in paediatrics.

Well, I don't like the circus.

The roar, the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd.

They're performing tomorrow at the gardens.

There's a game on. What about the stink?

Don't worry, the elephants will get used to it!

Hey.

What happened, did you get left behind?

Well.

Come on, let's go to the circus.

Careful, Donald. That's the way my uncle fell into an open manhole.

Good morning.

Looking for a job?

No, a place to live.

That's right. If my calendar serves me correctly,

escrow closes on your house in a couple of weeks.

Yeah, and it occurred me I'd better go out shopping

otherwise I'm going to be out on the streets.

Modern kitchen, tiled floors,

wet bar. Aren't you a little old for a condo?

Seemed like the thing to do.

Can you fit all your belongings into one of those cracker boxers?

No, Lizzie's going to help me out. She's going to sort through all my stuff.

I'm going to have to put some of it in storage.

Well, just bear in mind that condos are the tenements of the future.

I've got an appointment to see one tonight at the, er, Old North Plaza.

Oh, I wouldn't put dog in that papier mache kennel.

You know about this kind of thing?

Some people open the Sunday papers and go right to the funnies. Me?

I like to wander through the real estate section.

Now, as for the Old North Plaza, the first thing you have to do is

check how many units have been sold.

That way you don't wind up living in a 15-storey mausoleum.

Mike, could you come with me tonight?

It would be a big help, I know it.

No problem.

You're sure this isn't an imposition?

Only for the real estate agent. Besides, you need me there to play

good cop, bad cop. Knock the price down.

Thanks.

Doctor.

Elliot. Who died? >

Oh, Mrs Hufnagel.

I got a letter from her lawyer who's handling her estate.

He wants to see me tonight.

So I thought I'd put my best foot forward.

Size ten triple E wing-tip, nice.

What does Mrs Hufnagel's lawyer want?

You're not being sued for malpractice?

As a matter of fact, I think she's left me something in her will.

The old bat didn't own anything.

A couple of gerbils maybe.

I still think it pays to be nice to your patients.

Out of the way.

Easy, Boomer.

I'm in a hurry.

The patients aren't going anywhere.

I've got five left to see. This guy wasted my whole morning

giving a history then says he made it all up.

Jack. I heard about you being held at gunpoint by Shirley Daniels.

I don't want to talk about it.

You know, Auschlander never gave her permission to start work down in the yard.

Where's Shirley now?

Who knows? Beamed off to another planet.

Oh, Humes wants you to cover for her. She left her beeper.

She said you owed her.

When will she be back?

A couple of hours. She went to pick out the new outfit her mom and pop are buying her.

Oh, Jack.

Wait up, buddy.

I haven't seen Clancy in the past few weeks. Aren't you two dating any more?

Sure, we see each other all the time.

Oh, Jack. I'm going to to be at your examination tomorrow morning. We start at 8 o'clock sharp.

Lucky you didn't knock him down the stairs. Your first remedial test?

Yep, six hours long.

I'm glad that grind's behind me.

Thanks a lot!

Jack, none of us have seen you for weeks.

Why don't you join us for a beer after work?

I've got to study for the remedial.

If you don't know it now, you never will.

Oh my God, I've got to call Clancy so she can pick up Pete. Argh. I'll call her later.

Settle down. >

Jack. The outpatient clinic just readmitted to one of your patient, Mr Podgorny.

I'm assigning him back to you. Here's the chart.

Do you want me to handle some of your cases?

No!

I've got to show Dr Westphall I can do it all.

PAGER BEEPING

Humes.

CHILDREN LAUGH

Do you want this? Wooh!

(GIRL) It's like the circus!

Oh my gosh, a fire! I'd better put it out.

This is great. This is the single greatest day of my life.

Has it been that the shallow?

Yeah!

I'll put it out with this.

CHILDREN SQUEAL

I'll save you.

Whoa!

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Help me, somebody help me. Is there a doctor here?

Here he is.

OK, what's the gag?

It's no gag. Bonko needs help.

Wade.

Mr Podgorny.

Hello. I remember you.

Very tall.

Let's have a look at your chest.

It started showing up the last few weeks.

Nosebleeds too. Bad.

First time I have a nosebleed since Mrs Podgorny

found me waxing Mrs Krasuski's floor.

What's wrong with that?

Mrs Krasuski was laying on the floor at the time.

Right. Your blood test shows your platelet count is low.

I'm sure. I gotcha.

Your blood isn't clotting properly.

I'm going to order a bone marrow exam.

Are you OK?

Migraine headache.

I'll be fine.

Bonko's had multiple sclerosis for ten years,

but it's never been this bad.

Well, MS is unpredictable. It varies from patient to patient,

and sometimes it involves a series of attacks and recoveries.

What about the double vision and the slurred speech?

Symptoms should only be temporary, but we'll admit Bonko for observation.

Can you let me know when you take Bonko upstairs?

Sure.

It's a great costume.

I can't tell you what a thrill it is to meet a clown like you.

Hey, wait.

Two tickets to the circus, good for Saturday night.

Thanks, Corky.

Didn't mean to startle you.

Reflex action. Before my tumours were removed, I always turned away.

It's better than forcing people to see my face.

You didn't scare me a bit.

A lot of neurofibromatosis patients don't look this good after surgery.

Dr Caldwell did a great job.

I came for a follow-up exam, but the nurse upstairs

says it's not until tomorrow.

I'm feeling anxious.

Well, your trip's not in vain. I happen to have two tickets to the circus, what do you say?

You're asking?

You mean, you want to take me with you?

Wait till you see the man on the flying trapeze.

Flies through the air with the greatest of these.

I've never been to the circus.

You're the first person who ever asked me out.

You're also the first person I've ever turned down.

But why?

I'm seeing someone else.

I want you to look straight ahead.

Good.

Try not to move your eye.

Let's start with a CAT scan, and go from there.

Do you mind if I just stand here?

Well, you can help by taking that off.

How are you?

It's happening again, Corky.

I've got free passes to the circus and I can't find anyone to go with.

Did you try Cavanero?

She's not interested in parking it under the big top.

I am tired of dancing around on this one.

Take the bull by the horns and put his catheter in!

Wayne.

What about inviting...?

Lucy.

What the hell do you want?

(CLEARS HIS THROAT)

Well, um...

The circus is in town and I have a couple of tickets,

so I was wondering...

Go ahead, Fiscus, make my day.

Never mind.

You doctors, you've got no guts.

Hey.

Hi.

How are you feeling?

Better. I was really out of it.

Big Tim Champion says don't worry about missing opening night. Your job's secure.

Corky, I'm afraid.

You've got nothing to be afraid of.

That Dr Chandler seems real smart.

No, no, about what's going to happen tomorrow night.

Who's going to do the act with you?

Chuckles.

There's no-one else?

Do you remember Big Tim paired me with him?

His timing was all off, and he used too much powder in exploding toilet seat!

Would you remember to put down the lid this time!

I will. But, no matter what happens, it won't be the same.

Because when you run in with that plunger stuck to your face,

it makes me wet my pants.

Alison.

I'd prefer you didn't call me that.

Oh, OK.

Bonko. I've got your test results back.

Not all good news, is it?

Well, your CT scan is normal. There's no evidence of haemorrhage.

Thank God.

When can she rejoin the circus?

Well, after she's discharged,

I think the best thing for her to do is to go home and get some rest.

Our home is with the circus.

It's important for you to remain active, within the limits of MS,

But you're going to have to adjust your lifestyle to a more realistic level now.

Travelling around from city to city, exhausting yourself while performing...

She is not giving up the circus.

Let me explain a little bit to you about MS.

Hey, I had been living with this for seven years.

We have even worked some of the big fundraisers.

A little eye problem, and already you're writing her off?

Look here. You're slowly losing your motor functions.

You'll need physical and occupational therapy to help you cope.

We're coping just fine.

But you're reaching a point where you won't be able to without medical help. Now, your wife...

Bonko is not my wife.

She's married to someone else. But we have been lovers for years.

And nobody is taking her away from me, or the circus.

Wait a minute.

This is my decision.

I need time to think.

Well, whoever your husband is,

I think he has a right to know about your condition.

His name is Gerald Kingston.

He works in Albany, in the governor's office.

I left him for Corky.

After a matinee.

All I want is Bonko up on her big feet again.

Lysosomal storage disease,

and associated enzyme deficiency.

Case X - Hexosaminidase A,

Niemann-Pick sphingomyelinase...

KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Hi. Hi.

Hey, Pete.

Hi.

Jack, this is my friend Andy Oakley from school.

Hi. No jokes about the name, OK?

What jokes?

Hey there, Petey, how are you? Huh? Yeah.

Would you mind? You're going to get his pyjamas all dirty.

We were playing touch over at Winthrop House. You are looking at the dynamic duo.

Yeah. I hit the Clance on a down-and-out for the winning TV. Yeah, she's a greyhound.

I tore right past Hoops, who instantly pretended like he'd pulled a groin muscle.

Um, is Peter all ready?

Yep.

Come here, little boomer. Come here.

Oh!

Are you going to be here all night?

Probably.

Have you eaten? Do you want me to send you something from Umberto's?

No, no, I'm OK.

At least in college you can screw around and then take an incomplete.

Um, I'll have him back here tomorrow afternoon.

5 o'clock.

Fine. >

Good luck.

Thanks.

Could you take him?

OK, sure. There we go.

So long, Jack.

This is the Aristocrat.

It's our largest model.

3,100 square feet, wall-to-wall carpeting, and all the amenities.

I like the high ceilings, that's nice.

An energy waster. All the heat sails right up there and sits.

Over here, we have the wet pub.

Miss Higham, how long have you been in the United States?

I left Sheffield the day Lady Diana gave birth to Harry.

Fascinating.

You got a green card?

Dr Westphall isn't a big drinker so this really doesn't mean anything.

Both the kids could have their own room.

10 minutes from the hospital.

Oh sure. What about smelling your neighbours' bad cooking in the hall, and listening to their toilet flush?

Donald, don't be so practical.

Go with what the feel here. In your gut.

Ah, I see, you've found the master suite.

Yes, very roomy.

Well, since you two will be using

just the one bedroom, you could turn the other two into offices.

Now, over here, we have the bathroom.

Donald.

This woman thinks we're homosexuals.

You know, I usually sell to young people.

It's so nice to deal with an older couple.

Look, lady.

I don't know what kind of arrangement you think we've got.

Well, most of the people in this building are like you.

It's a water bed.

It's very comfy. Mark, give it a try. Come on.

I'm doing you a favour being here, don't push it.

Have you two been together for a long time?

Years.

I think we ought to do this room in primrose.

Are you out of your mind?

All right, we'll stay with the eggplant.

Would you like to see the kitchen?

Mark's the cook.

OK. That does it.

I'll wait in a car.

I love it when you're petulant.

You know, I could tell right way that he was the artistic one.

Fag?

Mr Kingston, how familiar are you with multiple sclerosis?

Just what the doctors told me when Alison was diagnosed.

No treatment, no cure.

Well, at least not yet.

You see, it's a progressive chronic disease of the central nervous system.

Signals to and from the brain are slowed or blocked.

This impairs motor and other functions.

Is Alison in any pain?

No, no. How long has it been since you've seen her?

A year or two.

Well, you may find her condition's deteriorated since then.

Dr Chandler, I still love Alison.

Even though she deserted me, she's still my wife.

I would like her to have the best care available.

The sooner I get her out of here and off to Albany, the better.

Yep.

Someone here to see you.

Alison. It's been a long time.

Gerald, how are you doing? Give me a hug, you big sly.

Only you could bring me to Boston.

BUZZING

Got you!

Dr Axelrod. I'm Bradford Norton, senior partner of Norton and Inch.

You are Mrs Hufnagel's lawyer.

This firm has represented the family since Goody Gluck's first Salem witch trial.

Shall we begin?

Yes.

Where's everybody else?

You and a reptile park are the only designated beneficiaries.

We are?

'Elliott? Yes, I must be dead now.

'Well, we all gotta hit the tape sooner or later.

'But you know, you and I shared something.

'It must be hard finding friends with that truck tire around your waist.

'Your dad even gassed the family dog.

'You had a schoolboy crush on me, and I can understand why.'

I did not have a crush on you!

'You did too, shut up, chubs.

'You're good boy, you're a good doctor.

'You cared about me.

'You even cried on my shoulder when Murray died.

'So, I'm leaving almost everything I have to you.

'Enjoy. And try not to use me as a benchmark to judge other women.

'Always remember the Gluck family creed.

'It is better to be despised than forgotten.

'Ciao, Elliot. And I don't mean food.

Well, aside from her personal possessions,

Florence left an estate of $250,000.

A quarter of a million?

Less 75,000 to Earl's Reptile Park mentioned in a later codicil.

That leaves your inheritance... >

175 big ones.

Now, out of that comes certain accounts playable.

Medical bills, mortgage costs, gambling debts, helicopter rental.

Helicopter?

Florence was quite an aviatrix.

Plus, there are federal and state inheritance taxes.

And legal fees due to a regrettably undecided lawsuit against American Samoa.

That leaves you a total of $137.65.

Now, that should cover the boat and one breakfast special.

What boat?

Florence also designated you as the one she wished to

dispose of her remains, at sea.

Here she is.

BEEPING

Yeah, this is Dr Morrison.

Alarm?

OK. I'll be right there.

How's he doing?

What do you expect me to do about it?

Jack, I reassigned Mr Podgorny to you. He's your case.

Has the platelet count come back yet?

I don't know.

I've got to get to another patient. Take care of this.

I want three more units of whole blood standing by.

This is the same problem as a nose bleed, it's just in here.

You're going to be OK.

Don't be afraid.

I'll be here until you're better.

Hey, Kath, what's new?

Well, hi, Wayne.

Still working on that diary, huh?

Every day.

It must take a lot of discipline.

I'm writing down everything I can remember about what happened when I was raped.

Wayne, I want you to hear this.

Oh, I really shouldn't.

A diary is a private thing.

"I pulled off the ski mask and saw Peter. My friend.

"Now he was hurting me and, the more I struggled to get away,"

"the weaker I felt. Peter slapped me across the face."

"I fell to the floor. His tremendous weight was on top of me."

"I squirmed but..."

Kathy. You want to go to the circus?

What?

The circus.

I've got a couple of tickets and I thought you might like to go.

No.

Thank you, Wayne.

I have someone else to share my life with.

Someone who accepts me just the way I am.

Someone who makes me feel safe.

Who is this guy?

We spent a wonderful night together. He was very caring and gentle.

So you said. An older man?

Not really.

But experienced?

Not at all. I guess that's why he can be so tender and considerate.

I'm glad to hear things are going so well for you.

Vijay! Early morning surgery?

No. I'm here to have breakfast with Kathy.

Namaskaar, Vijay.

Good morning, Kathy.

Right, um...

Well, er...

I've, er, got to be going.

Jack.

Jack.

Mr Podgorny's vital signs have remained stable.

No reassertion of the bleeding.

What time is it?

It's almost 8.30.

Oh, no!

Dr Auschlander. I'm sorry. A patient of mine had a problem.

Examination procedure says we're to begin at 8 o'clock.

You know, the State Law says that I can't grant you any extra time.

Fine. I'll get started.

You've got four hours left to complete the written test.

And that will be followed by the oral exam.

You may begin.

ALL TALK AT ONCE

All right, this three ringer is over. Everybody out.

Oh! What a grouch.

Thanks for coming. >

See all back at the gardens.

Ah, thanks.

How about a little kiss, honey?

Why didn't I become a paralegal?

Nurse Papandrao says she needs to change your sheets.

Who are you?

Dr Chandler.

He's been taking care of you.

Oh, yeah, sure.

Um...

I guess I just, I lost control of the old bladder here.

That's alright. Incontinence is a symptom of MS.

But it can sometimes be controlled through proper training and medication,

which is exactly why you need to be under the care of a doctor.

Dr Chandler, why don't we let the nurse change Bonko's sheets?

OK.

Right in front of everyone, she took a whizz. I hope no one else noticed.

This kind of thing is going to keep happening.

She's even showing signs of short-term memory loss.

But I...

Don't you understand? Always being on the road, the physical wear and tear.

The circus is the wrong place for her to be right now.

It's always been the wrong place.

You must be Gerald.

And you're Corky the clown.

What are we going to do?

I don't think this is any of your business.

Look, why don't we just step in here and talk?

Seven years is a long time to hold a grudge.

Alison left me. I'm the one who had to stay in Albany.

I had to face our friends, my co-workers. Go home to an empty house every night.

So, now out of revenge you're going to separate us?

Doing that would only prove her point about how selfish you are.

I offered Alison the chance to come home.

I told her I would take care of everything.

She said no. She doesn't know what she's going to do.

She's staying in the circus.

If you he really cared about Alison, you wouldn't force her to spend the rest of her life in a circus tent.

Dr Chandler, thanks for your help.

Say goodbye to Alison for me.

When Mahatma Gandhi died, everything he owned fit into a shoebox.

Oh, more pictures.

Aha.

There it is.

It's my Louisville slugger.

You know, this bat made your father a celebrity in the playground.

Hey, who's Frankie Fresh?

Never mind.

Perfect weight. 32 ounces. I didn't even have to choke up.

I've been saving that for Tommy.

Oh.

Your mother wanted you to have this.

Oh, I've worn this before.

What?

One rainy day, Betty Russell and I were up here and I tried it on.

Gosh, Mum sure was skinny.

Now, as I remember it, your mother bought that

dress two sizes too small.

It took two bridesmaids and her mother to button up the back of it.

You know, on the morning of our wedding,

I vowed I wouldn't have a drink before the ceremony, and I didn't.

But the minister kept making me laugh.

And Marine looked at me, and she swore I was loaded.

Our marriage was almost over before it started.

You know, I always wondered why you waited so long to have kids.

Well, sweetheart, we didn't have any money for quite a while.

And then, when we did first try, your mother had a miscarriage.

I didn't know that.

Yeah. So we weren't ready to try again right away.

Was it a boy or a girl?

I don't know.

I always wanted an older sister.

Somehow I think it would have made growing up a lot easier.

Well...

You're Tommy's older sister, you've made his growing up a lot easier.

Maybe. But lately I've been so obsessed with myself.

I haven't made a very good sister.

Or a daughter.

You've been a joy since you were born.

Come on, Dad.

No, I mean it. Both to your mother and I.

Watching you grow up made us stop and rediscover things,

and look at the world with fresh eyes.

I'm very proud of the way you up turned out, lady.

Your mother would be too.

Boy, listen to me. I sound like a Hallmark card, don't I?

Well, do you want any of this stuff?

Just the dress.

I'm afraid your time is up, Jack.

Just...

Let me finish this one answer.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Now we'll proceed with the oral part of the exam.

The first question here...

"Briefly describe two schools of thought regarding the timing"

"of colycystectomy, for patients presenting with acute colycystitis"

"and discuss the important advantages and disadvantages"

"of each treatment form."

Jack?

I appreciate your letting me in on this neurofibromatosis follow-up.

You made your usual insensitive remarks,

you could have observed Andrea Fordham's procedure from the start.

I realise sometimes I'm like a pig,

but with this new awareness of my condition,

I can finally do something about it. Fine.

Just watch your mouth in here.

Hey, you're early.

At least this time I got the right day.

Andrea, my schedule's a mess.

This is Dr Ehrlich, he's gonna be assisting me.

Hi. Hello.

I've watched your case from the start. I really admire your courage.

Victor, file.

Yeah.

Yeah?

Yeah, I know I'm late.

I've got Mr Blasting's file around here,

I just have to find it.

OK, I'll bring it with me.

Andrea, why don't you take off your hat?

We must go to the same barber. It looks better on you.

Here we go. It's like sunny southern California.

Have you ever been?

Me? No, the lifestyle's too fast.

I could see you.

Suntan, some sporty white Porsche.

Your swelling's gone way down.

I bet it would be fun. Zipping along, top down,

wind whistling through our hair.

I've never really been on a vacation.

I might have to adjust the tension on the eye lid reconstruction.

Looks symmetrical to me.

Now that I've joined the world, I don't know what to do first,

work or vacation.

Vacation!

Dr Caldwell?

How about joining the neurofibromatosis support group?

You could encourage patients, let them know they're not alone.

Your case is extreme so you can give hope to those

who are still suffering.

I'd like that.

I know money for research is slow in coming.

I've got a consult. You're due in radiology.

We need to get another picture of that bone graft.

The technician will let us know as soon as the X-rays are developed.

Don't forget Mr Blasting's record.

It's bumper-to-bumper down in radiology. You'd better go.

It used to be all I had to do was show my face

and it would clear an entire room!

Dr Caldwell, I just...

I love you.

Bongo, how come you never got divorced?

I didn't just abandon Gerald.

I left behind the entire institution.

Hey, what do you say we tie the knot, go to Mexico,

quickie divorce, go to Reno, quickie marriage.

Alison, will you marry me?

CANNED LAUGHTER

You are such a clown!

So are you!

Of course you don't really want to marry me.

Yes, I do, and I'm waiting for an answer.

How come, after all this time, all of a sudden you want to get married?

It's just time to quit, settle down somewhere.

LAUGHTER

Alison!

Look, what kind of life have we got?

Hotel rooms with lumpy mattresses,

greasy diner food that's either cold or undercooked,

and I never told you this, but I hate the smell of cotton candy.

Listen, the only reason you're saying all this is because of me.

If I have to give up my life,

that's no reason for you to give up yours.

But thank you.

I just don't want to lose you.

But you will eventually, anyway.

CIRCUS MUSIC

Ready?

Elliot, what's in the box?

Mrs Hufnagel.

Very funny.

I've been carrying her around, afraid to leave her anywhere.

I guess she'll be all right in my locker.

What are you gonna do with her?

Bury her at sea.

Somewhere very deep, like with nuclear waste.

Please!

Sorry, there I go again.

Good night, Mrs Hufnagel.

Good night, Mrs Calabash, wherever you are. Hi!

Hi.

Boomer?

Boomer?

What's going on?

It's OK, it's me.

Boomer, it's me.

Oh, hi.

Hi. How did the tests go?

I don't know.

Hello.

Da-da.

Was he good?

Always. Except, is golden heart ivy poisonous?

I don't know. Why?

Well, Pete's tore up part of my plant and ate it,

but he's not turned green or thrown up yet, so I figure he's OK?

Listen...

Tomorrow I thought we'd take Pete to the circus.

I've got plans.

With your boyfriend?

Boyfriend?

Yeah, the goofy guy from yesterday.

Andy?

Yeah. It looked like you were having a good time.

Jack, he's a friend.

We have a class together.

Why you bring him here? I was supposed to be studying.

All I could think about was the two of you off some place playing touch.

Jack, don't lay your victim routine on me, OK?

It's not your most attractive quality

and it's not my kind of game.

All right. I'm sorry.

I just think what you did was unfair.

Wait a minute.

Suddenly all I am now is a babysitter?

I spend more time with Pete than I do with you.

I don't mind, I love the kid,

but you and I say hello when we exchange him and that's it.

We don't talk. We don't go out. We don't sleep together.

Great, you say let's take Pete to the circus.

I know damn well you're gonna get beeped

and have to go take care of some patient you've never even heard of.

Well, I'm a doctor, that's my job.

It's not mine.

So, what? You want to forget about us?

Jack, face it.

We are just friends.

I value you as one.

You know how busy I've been.

Yes, and I'm not blaming you, I'm just explaining my side.

I'll see you around.

Nice show.

Dr Chandler, you're a master of understatement.

Bongo, I want to talk to you.

I've got your discharge papers.

Go ahead, I'll meet you in the room.

Cherie Williams, please report to the cashier.

You've gotta smile more, Dr Chandler.

You're right.

Alison, you're gonna have to make a decision about your MS.

Now you're at the edge of a more serious stage in your disease now.

Do you know how to juggle, Dr Chandler?

Oh, well, you are never too old to learn.

It's easy. You put two in one hand, one in the other.

You throw them up and one's in the air at all times

and you keep your eye on the one in the middle.

After that it's just rhythm.

You need the proper environment with a sense of stability.

Even if that means sacrificing things you enjoy now.

I thought you said you didn't know how to juggle.

You're gonna have to quit the circus.

What, and give up show business?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

Your turn.

I can no more give up being with my friends in the circus

than you can juggle these bean bags.

But I can learn in time.

I don't have time.

A doctor said something to me when I was first diagnosed.

"Take life a day at a time, one challenge at a time."

Giving up my independence before I have to

would be more damaging emotionally to me than the MS itself.

Listen, you met my husband, right?

I mean, the man is not exactly a masterpiece of the human spirit,

but we always played it safe.

We had the right neighbourhood, the right car, conservative investments,

life with a warranty.

Then I got MS.

I decided to take a risk and become a clown.

Know what I learned from circus people?

Don't make judgments about people's appearances or eccentricities.

And also, we have a common goal - to make people happy.

So what makes you happy, Dr Chandler?

Knowing that a patient of mine has gotten the best treatment she can.

Then you got nothing to worry about,

because my circus family is gonna take good care of me.

You really should smile more.

Dr Auschlander.

Sit down, Jack.

Young Pete looks to be in the pink.

Yeah.

Did you get the results?

Yes.

Jack, you failed the examination.

All of it?

Yes.

I desperately wanted you to pass you on the oral,

but in all good conscience I couldn't.

You're going to have to take it again

after a suitable amount of time.

Oh, God!

I'm sorry, Jack.

Drop dead!

BANGING

A simple no would have been enough.

I'm 30 years old.

So am I.

All I ever wanted to be was a history teacher.

I wanted to go to the circus.

Is our first priority a person's physical well-being or emotional health?

You think I'm gonna say physical.

Every woman in this hospital thinks my only interest is in the carnal,

when really my mind is on the carnival.

You're right. Life is a circus. I need to take more chances.

Why am I so narrow?

Separating them would have been the worst thing to do.

They're together.

What are?

My freebies for the circus.

Really, when are they for?

Tonight.

Who are you going with?

You trying to hurt my feelings?

I want to go with you.

I thought you hated the circus.

I changed my mind.

It's a date.

Hey, glad you're here, I want you to see this.

This is where you're missing a lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.

The graph's in good position.

If you say so.

Sitting down in radiology, I had to think.

I'm not ready to work with other neurofibromatosis patients yet.

Yeah, why's that?

My heart wouldn't be in it.

Too many things I want to do for myself first.

Working with a support group, I'd feel hypocritical.

I wasn't trying to force that on you. It was just a suggestion.

I'll schedule your next meeting for later in the month.

Would you...?

Could we see each other before that? Outside the hospital, I mean?

It's not a good idea.

I meant what I said in your office.

Andrea, you don't love me.

I do.

All I did was take off your bandages, that's it.

You're confusing what I did with who I am.

No, I'm not.

Look, love doesn't just happen like this.

It comes from a mutual awareness of two people.

A selfless concern for someone else.

You don't get it, do you?

I've never been kissed in my life.

The tumours have gone from my face but they may come back.

What chance have I got for someone to fall in love with me?

How do I tell a guy I have a disease

which could be passed on to our children?

I'm not expecting you to get involved with me.

I just want to be your friend.

Then kiss me goodbye.

I was looking for a movie kiss.

That's not being fair.

Fair?

Was it fair for me to grow up with tumours on my face?

You radically changed my life. And because you're the doctor,

you get to decide how much you'll be involved in it.

You just leave the rest of my emotions to fend for themselves.

Or is it you still see me as a freak?

So long, Dr Caldwell.

You almost ready?

Just one second.

Get in, let's get out of here!