Original subtitles

Hey! You're feeling better. Yeah. Thanks.

What was it? Flu?

What have we got?

Female prisoner. Possible self-harm - swallowing.

Good morning. I'm Correctional Officer Wilson.

Adam Rossi.

Please tell me you're the doctor.

That's what it says on my security pass.

Yes! Got me a hottie. Shut it, Finch.

I take it this is our patient.

What gave me away?

Was it the funky outfit or the fashionable after-five accessories?

She claims to have swallowed a toothbrush.

Did you?

You're the doctor. Examine me and find out.

Name's Mandy, by the way.

Hey! Are you sure... are you sure you're up to being here?

Yeah. I was going stir-crazy at home.

Spending too much time in my own head.

Let's lose the jewellery, shall we?

We don't want to make the other patients jealous.

WILSON: Your call. Yeah, it is.

My man!

You are so hating this, aren't you?

Just pop yourself over, Mandy.

Are you the lucky one that gets to call home for me?

Mm-hm.

That's what this is really all about.

Prisoner Finch wants a visit from Mummy.

Go sit on your nightstick, Wilson.

You keep your trap shut or you'll find yourself on a charge.

So when you call Mum,

it's really important you tell her I'm not in here for drugs, right?

Hello there. I'm Frank Campion, director of Emergency Medicine.

Is this woman a safety problem for my staff?

She's not violent, but I'd lock up anything that can't be nailed down.

She's in for drugs, prostitution and theft.

Are you gonna be here the whole time?

Until we prove this is a wind-up and I take her back to prison.

Please excuse Officer Wilson.

Until she's had a coffee, she's just a cow.

So how sick were you, really?

Or was something else stopping you from getting out of bed?

It's none of your business.

Or should I say someone?

Shut up, Jo. I'm here to work, OK?

I can help you with that.

Sporting incident. Young male, suspected spinal injury.

They want assessment of transport options.

Rolling.

Are you gonna be alright for today?

Yeah.

Anything I should be worried about? Something you haven't told me?

No.

(CHEERING) MAN: Pass it to me! Pass it to me!

Nathan! (WHISTLE BLOWS)

Tackle him! Over this way, guys, OK?

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

I told you lot before, this isn't the 6:00 news!

Now bugger off! Go on, get!

Right, out of the way. Go on, get out!

Hi. I'm Mike. This is Steve and Jo.

Tom. Josh can't move or feel his legs.

If I get my hands on the kid that knocked my son down,

I'll bloody murder them.

Mate, could you answer some questions for me,

while I unpack this gear?

Sure. I'll be just over there, mate.

I'll be right, Dad.

How you doing, Josh? I'm OK.

Josh, it's really important you don't move at all,

so we're gonna put a hard collar on to help.

I don't want you to nod or shake your head.

Tell me you're alright with a (CLICKS TONGUE). That's cool.

Good man. OK. Nice and easy.

STEVE: So how did it happen?

He went up for a save and this idiot barrelled straight into him.

He came down on his head and his neck so hard...

Shouldn't I be telling them?

No, they'll be getting it from Josh.

It's best we give them space to work for the time being.

It's not going to be permanent, is it? Him not feeling his legs?

Don't you think it's a little early for questions like that?

But hopefully we'll... Like hell!

How would you feel if that was your kid lying there?

Come on, Tom. Calm down and let the quacks do their stuff, eh?

I am not in the mood for you. Hey!

I was only trying to help.

The best way we can all help Josh right now is just by calming down.

Who's in charge?

He is.

Get out of the way!

Any difficulty breathing? Only when I saw you.

(SNIGGERS) You look like you're struggling, Doc.

Let me give you a hand. Put 'em away, Finch.

Have you been vomiting?

Three times a day after the slop they call food.

I need straight answers, please.

Have you vomited and was it bloodstained?

Pardon me, Nurse Ratshit.

No blood stains. No vomit.

Thank you.

You've had a few surgeries.

I'm a busy girl.

Some of the scars you can't see so well 'cause of the tats.

This was my first lap thingie.

Laparotomy.

Yeah, that.

I swallowed 16 needles.

This was where they had to take out my gall bladder.

Swallowed some stones and it got blocked.

The rest... (EXHALES) ..I forget.

You could check 'em in my file.

Why do you do it?

What can I say? I love to swallow.

We all know that. The question is, did you go down on a toothbrush?

Can you tell? Not without an X-ray.

How long's that gonna take? As long as it takes.

I'm sorry. I'll call Radiology.

OK, Mandy. We are gonna go for a ride.

I'll just get you an orderly. No, I'll take her.

Can't wait to get me alone, can you, honey?

Is there anything more I can do to help?

There's an ambulance coming.

You can make sure the way's clear when it arrives.

No problem. What's their ETA?

Any minute.

Hey... he's got to be OK.

He's only 16 and he's already been scouted for a State rep side.

There's a good chance he'll come good, right?

Not just for soccer, for everything.

There's a possibility this is only spinal shock,

which might well resolve itself.

But we can't say for sure

until we've taken him to hospital and done X-rays.

Well, give me a number - 60%, 50%?

Tom, I can't make it any clearer.

I'm sorry. I just can't say right now.

Dad!

Yeah, mate, I'm here.

Did I make the save?

Oh, you were perfect.

You didn't take your eyes off that damn ball for a second.

Is it OK to touch him?

Yeah, as long as you don't move him.

(SIREN WAILS) We're gonna come through this, Josh.

You just relax and trust me, OK?

OK.

They've got three more urgent cases to get through.

I hope they don't hurry for me.

What's the coffee from the machines like here?

If you drink it, at least you're already at a hospital.

Do you want one? No, thanks.

White and two!

You want a quickie, is that it? What?!

I've done this enough times to know

most doctors don't take their patients for X-rays.

Yeah, well, I'm not 'most doctors'.

I'm curious. Why put all that stuff down your throat?

Is it what she said about seeing your mum?

(EXHALES)

She doesn't visit.

Not anymore.

Why's that?

She got pissed off at something I did.

Is it what you're in jail for?

Nuh.

What are you in jail for?

I got busted under the Jones Street overpass.

Yeah? North side or south? North.

OK, how do you know the Jones?

It was a roof for a while.

(SNIGGERS) Yeah, right.

Like anyone who lived there could end up a doctor.

It happens.

So what's it like inside?

They treat you OK?

You've got to be kidding.

Give me the overpass any day.

Would you want her breathing down your neck 24/7?

We're going to lift you onto the trolley now, Josh.

Don't move, we'll do all the work.

On my three. One, two, three.

Sorry, mate, but you can't come in the ambulance with your son.

Don't worry, mate. I'll get to the hospital as fast as I can.

And once you're fixed up,

I'll call a lawyer and sue this club for everything they've got.

Steady on!

That wasn't the first foul play of the day.

It should never have happened.

Let's just concentrate on getting Josh out of here.

Is there anyone we can call? His mother?

No-one. It's just us.

The ref did his job. He red-carded that kid. Probably get 10 weeks.

And you seriously think that that's enough to make up for this?

Dad! Don't move your head, Josh.

JO: You're right, mate. He's right here.

Seriously, mate, put a sock in it. Piss off. You're not helping.

Losing it's not going to do any good, OK?

You'll be alright, mate.

I'll see you at the hospital, OK?

Yep.

Now, listen to me.

I know you're stressed, but you're gonna have to calm down.

It's only gonna make your son stressed too

and it's the last thing that we need, OK?

MIKE: 16-year-old male,

hyperextension to cervical vertebrae.

Motor-sensory loss from T1.

Priapism noted. No prior medical history.

Josh, hi. My name is Gabrielle.

Now, if there is anything I can do for you, you let me know, OK?

Remember, Josh - no nodding, mate.

Can you make sure my dad knows how to find me?

His dad's on his way from the sportsground.

I'll bring him to you as soon as he gets here.

FRANK: Very smoothly on this one, OK?

On my call - one, two, three.

Are you alright, Josh? I guess so.

Hang in there, mate.

Josh, can you tell me if you can feel anything?

Anything? No.

And again.

Anything? No.

OK. X-rays?

Full trauma series and bloods.

Judging by that jumper, you're a goalie, are you, mate?

Were you winning today? I think.

It's kind of like I was playing that game a million years ago.

Hmm.

But I kept Princess Leah from the dark side.

What does that mean?

My dad's a 'Star Wars' nut.

It's how he taught me goalkeeping.

The ball's Princess Leah.

You take as many hits as you have to

to stop the dark side trapping her in the net.

Oh.

Where is Dad?

I'll see if I can find out where he is.

Bloody hell! OFFICIAL: Can I help?

I can't find my damn car keys. Maybe that's a good thing.

Getting behind the wheel mightn't be all that smart right now.

Why don't you catch a cab? Why don't you keep your mouth shut?

I've heard enough out of you today.

I've given you a long leash this morning, mate.

Don't go hanging yourself with it.

Here, give me that. If you're gonna look, do it properly.

You stupid bastard! I'm in a hurry!

Oi, you two, knock it off.

Tell it to him. I'm telling you both.

Yeah, he started it. And I'll bloody finish it.

You guys need to pull your heads in.

I was talking to him, not you.

What do you think you're doing?

Steve! Steve!

I'm fine. You know what you are?

A sideline Hitler who likes to throw his weight around.

And trust me, you've got plenty to throw.

And you're a Socceroos wannabe who thinks his shit doesn't stink

'cause his kid's a hot-shot player.

And he is!

Well, I got news for you. It does stink!

And it's your kid who's got the talent, not you!

That's it. That's it, alright? Seriously!

MIKE: (ON RADIO) Steve or Jo, do you copy?

Mike, a bit busy, right now.

Are you OK? I'm bloody not.

Jesus, mate! MIKE: What's going on?

Sorry, Mike. I've got to go.

(GROANS)

Hey, nice work, Doctor.

Radiology are ready to take him straight in.

Mm-hm. Gabrielle will look after you now, Josh.

We'll see you in a little while. Alright.

Mike, it's Jo. Are you around?

I'm here, Jo. Are those sirens I can hear?

Ah, police and ambulance. It's all good, though.

Police? Learning to bullshit like their master.

(GROANS) Oh-oh-uh-uh.

Mate, I'm trying to examine you. Piss off.

Back again. It's all happening out here today, isn't it?

I take it you guys are ready to travel ASAP?

JO: You got it. Well, maybe not.

We need his pain under control before we've got any chance of moving him.

Right. Well, do you want to take my patient and call another ambulance?

Yep, sure.

Tell them that it's urgent. He could have significant testicular trauma.

Cheer up.

After this we'll get you an appointment

with the plastic surgeon.

You know, fix some of that up.

Well, the toothbrush is definitely there.

Told ya.

And we're gonna need to operate.

Told ya that too.

She's going on about how I could crap it out at the slammer.

No, it's not an option. It's anatomically impossible.

I'll need to see my mum before the op.

Oh, yeah. I'm sorry, I couldn't get through before. It was engaged.

So ring again.

Finch, she's not your personal secretary.

No, she's a nurse and her job is calling patient's rellies.

So let's get those fingers walking, huh?

Mandy, you're asymptomatic,

which means you're low priority for surgery,

so it's gonna take a while before they can get you in.

How long's a while? They'll let us know.

Oh, God! Oh, please!

(GROANS) Mandy, where's it hurting?

In my gut. Why are you even bothering?

Two seconds after you say she's low priority, she's in pain.

It's a con. And maybe it isn't.

Organise an urgent CT.

And, Claire, keep trying till you make contact with Mandy's mum, yeah?

(GROANS) Will you bastards leave me alone?

This is killing me.

Which is why we're trying to give you some pain relief.

Like you give a stuff. You're the reason I got my nuts kicked in.

Mate, you got your nuts kicked in

because you were hitting someone with a chair.

Apart from the example you're setting, you could've killed him.

Steve, he's a patient. He's a bloody idiot.

Jesus, mate.

No LOC. GCS 15. And his pupils are equal and reactive.

Do you know if your tetanus shots are up-to-date?

No idea. My son, Josh. I need to see him. Do you know where he is?

We'll find out. We need to treat you first.

He couldn't move his legs. I need to see him now.

Yeah, it will happen as soon as I've had a look at that head wound.

Do you wanna pass out in front of your son?

Or scare him, covered in all that blood?

So just pop over onto that bed for us, OK?

Nice and easy. (GROANS)

Good man. Do you have any allergies we need to know about?

No.

He's got no past medical history, either.

Hey, fingers crossed for Josh. Thanks.

Alright, I'm just gonna get you to squeeze my hands for me.

Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you.

I couldn't help it. I'm worried about my son.

I understand.

Poor kid. FRANK: Yeah. T1 fracture.

Can we hold off on telling him until his dad's here?

You know we can't do that.

If the patient asks... He has a right to know.

I just meant he'll need his father

when we tell him he'll never walk again.

GABBY: That will have to wait.

Mr Branston has just come in but he'll need to be assessed first.

What for?

Apparently, there was an altercation at the sportsground.

Well, Josh doesn't need to know that.

(MACHINES BEEP STEADILY)

Hi, mate. How are you doing?

Packing it a bit. Do you know what's wrong with me now?

Yes, Josh, we do.

Maybe... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

..maybe I should wait till Dad gets here.

He won't be long now.

I was thinking, even if it's good news,

I'm not sure I want to play soccer again.

So I was thinking what else we could do.

Maybe kayaking. What do you reckon?

I think we need to deal with your injury first.

Can we wait till he's with me?

Of course we can.

Still engaged.

Are you OK?

Oh, you know, I keep expecting Ian to suddenly show up.

Steve reckons he won't come back.

I wish I could believe it.

Well, listen, I will call Security.

I will make sure he is not allowed on these grounds.

And you've got Steve at home.

Yeah. How's that going?

Yeah, he's been great.

But I just can't bear him touching me.

That is a very natural response and I am sure he will understand...

Ian got his wish, didn't he?

He wanted to ruin things for me and Steve...

..and he has.

They're here.

(SNIFFLES)

Kenny Wilcox, 44, sustained testicular trauma.

Given total of 15mg morphine - still in exquisite pain.

He's vomited twice. GABBY: I'll get a bowl in case.

Jo, what happened to Steve?

Oh, something's going on. He totally lost it out there.

Did you manage to get in contact with Mandy's mum?

It's a waste of time.

Face it - all she wants is a few days on the outside.

Jail's bad enough

but to swallow the junk she has,

I know a cry for help when I see one.

And it's got everything to do with the mother.

Lots of people have lousy mums and bad stuff happens to them.

They don't all end up in jail because of it.

Since when do we judge our patients?

I'll try calling again.

Thanks.

Is there something I need to know?

No, it's OK. It's personal.

Could I speak to Mrs Finch, please?

Ruptured? STEVE: Possibly.

It was a solid kick in the nuts. You'd know.

JO: Let it go. We're done if you wanna let us go.

You've done more than enough.

Mr Wilcox, try to let us treat you.

Want me to organise an ultrasound? Yes, and tell them it's urgent.

Keep him nil by mouth.

If it's ruptured, he'll go straight to theatre.

OK. (ELEVATOR BELL)

Interesting look.

You left before all the fun started. What happened?

I'm assuming your story is the most exciting.

There was a second medical emergency.

We responded.

OK. Written report from both of you on my desk by the end of the shift.

Off the record, I'm not asking you to dob

but what's going on?

Off the record, I think it's got something to do with Claire.

He came way too close to losing it today.

Try not to make it read like that in your report.

Yep.

(LAUGHTER)

I do hope this little tete-a-tete is work related.

Yeah, of course.

Just looking at the roster. Oh, the roster. Right.

Are you gonna hassle us every time we talk to each other now?

No, of course not! Good.

Anything else?

No, no.

He's just gonna keep on hassling us, you know that, right?

Well, this is work we're discussing. The MRU backup roster.

Hang on. I need to put my name on it.

You're not seriously volunteering to be one of them?

If the MRU get into trouble, they're gonna need backup doctors.

I can only see you tripping out of a chopper, not jumping from one.

I've got a head for heights. I was a champion diver.

That's cool!

Yep, so it'll be a double pike with a twist out of the chopper.

What about all of the other dangerous stuff they do?

You could get hurt. I can handle it.

OK, your CT shows the toothbrush is impacted in your duodenum.

Oh, that sounds rank!

Yeah, it's also a bit odd. Is there anything you want to tell me?

Like...

How long ago you swallowed it.

A while.

It must have been quite a while for it to be impacted like this.

What's going on?

What does it matter? It matters because you lied to me.

Welcome to my world.

Did you get onto Mum?

I did but she isn't coming.

Yeah, that'd be right.

What did she say?

Without the swear words, not a lot. She didn't want to know.

Did she give you a chance to explain Mandy's condition?

She said she wasn't surprised and it served her right.

What have you got, Finch? Grab her!

She's swallowed something else. Spit it out, Mandy. What is it?

It's a bloody torch battery. Oh, she's choking.

Come on, Mandy. Try and have a big cough for me.

Bring it up. Don't let me die.

(MACHINE BEEPS RAPIDLY) Her sats are down to 90%.

Page Radiology. We need a portable chest X-ray urgently.

(SPLUTTERS) Hey, let me go!

Get Mum. You promise?

I'm getting a battery out of your throat.

What do you want me to do first? Let go.

We're fine here.

Try again.

(SPLUTTERS) Bring back an arrest trolley.

Alright, Mandy. Big cough. Ready?

That battery look like it's making a reappearance?

Not any time soon.

How's she going? Panicking.

Desperate.

I had no idea. I thought she just wanted to get out of jail for a bit.

God, her mother can talk! Mmm.

I should have been more convincing the first time I spoke to her.

This is not your fault.

Whatever happened between the two of them,

it must've been pretty bad if Mandy thinks it's the only way to see her.

Maybe it's time she stopped trying. I don't know.

I reckon we all just want our mums. I don't.

Hmm?

When I told her Ian was getting violent,

she said it was my fault.

You're kidding.

"Don't piss off your man and cop it if you do."

That's how she coped with Dad.

He was abusive too?

Well, never to me.

But I saw enough.

Mrs Finch, it's Claire Anderson from All Saints again.

Your daughter's very unwell and...

Yeah, I know,

but her condition is now life-threatening and she...

(HANGS UP)

Come on. One more cough. See if you can bring it up.

I'm sorry, but she's still refusing to come in.

We really need to get this out.

OK, let's treat it like a stuck fishbone.

Claire, can you grab some bread, a can of cola and some glucagon?

Mandy, we're gonna try them one at a time

and try to get the battery down into your stomach

then wait for nature to take its course.

Are you up for that? (CHOKES)

The X-rays and CT show us

that one of the vertebrae in Josh's back has broken.

Oh, shit.

With a fracture like this, the bone shatters

with parts of the bone entering the spinal cord

and damaging nerves,

which is why he's lost movement and sensation in his legs.

But he will get it back... eventually.

I'm sorry to say that I don't think there's any chance of that.

What? Not even with operations and physio and stuff?

No. Not even then.

From now on, he'll be confined to a wheelchair.

(MOANS)

No. (WEEPS)

The poor kid's already lost his mum

and now this?

No bloody way.

There are many services available to you both.

I will make sure you have all the details.

He was just running around a couple of hours ago!

How am I gonna tell him? You're not expected to.

We're here to explain anything or answer any questions.

No.

No. It should be me.

He'll need it to be me.

Alright. But, Tom, just take a minute before you go in. Yes?

Yeah.

ADAM: I want you to sign this consent form for an endoscopy

so if this doesn't work

we've got a surgical option to get the battery out.

I know you want to sort things out with your mum

but it's important we get that battery out.

If it leaks acid, it could burn through your oesophagus.

If you don't choke first.

(POUNDS)

We can't force her in here against her will.

Even if we could, we don't have the time.

Bloody hell, Finch. You're about to cark it. Let them treat you.

At least then you'll be alive to tell your mum to get stuffed.

You're playing with fire, Mandy, but we'll do our best to start with cola.

(SPLUTTERS)

(MACHINES BEEP STEADILY)

How you doing?

OK.

You up for a visitor?

Is Dad here?

Yeah, mate, I'm here.

Where have you been? What took so long?

Oh, I lost my bloody car keys. I can't see you.

I'm coming.

Just slowing up in my old age.

G'day, mate.

What happened? Are you OK?

Oh, I took a tumble.

Don't worry. How are you doing?

I still can't feel anything.

That's bad, isn't it?

Oh, don't you give up, son.

We've always been winners and grinners before.

So it's not that bad?

Mr Branston, I know you mean well

but Josh needs to hear the truth.

So it is bad.

Just let me do this my way, OK? Dad.

We understand that but it's important

that you both start facing the reality of his situation.

All Josh and I have ever done is face tough odds and come out on top.

And we will again this time, won't we, son?

Dr Campion? Is this permanent?

Will I be able to walk again?

No, you won't, son.

I'm sorry.

So I'm in a wheelchair for the rest of my life?

Oh, jeez, Dad.

I, er...

..I'll be back.

KENNY: You bastard!

You are so lucky I can't move!

Your luck's just run out, you prick!

(ALL SHOUT AND CLAMOUR)

You stopped me from getting here! You stopped yourself, you goose!

If you don't both stop it, I'll call Security.

BART: Calm down. Leave him alone.

Eugh! Settle down!

Get off! My nuts!

I'll bloody rip them off if I can find them!

Hey. Hey.

Hey! Whoa.

I just lost it out there at a patient.

I've never done that before. That's OK.

You've never had to deal with what you're going through ever before.

My whole life's out of control, Gabrielle.

I'm so scared I'm never gonna get it back.

Give it some time!

And when you're ready, please talk to someone. Talk to Steve...

No, no, I can't tell him what really happened.

What do you mean?

I said something... to Ian.

I told him I loved him... (SNIFFLES)

..because I thought he was going to kill me.

Steve would understand... What if he doesn't understand?

He would. I know.

I can't risk it.

OK.

Come crash with me for a bit.

Some time apart will take the pressure off.

No, I don't want to hurt Steve's feelings.

Sweetheart, that is part of the problem.

You're more worried about him than you are about yourself.

Let me talk to him.

Mmm. OK?

Any further damage? None so far.

Surprisingly. Alright.

I'll take over. You can return to the blue corner.

When can I get back to Josh? I should be with him.

Not until you've calmed down.

The last thing he needs is you walking out on him again so sit down.

(GROANS)

How long has it just been the two of you?

12 years.

Well, I know what it's like to be a single parent.

It redefines the word 'tired', doesn't it?

I manage.

He's a great kid.

I'm sure he is but that doesn't stop you

doing your block from time to time.

I never yell at anyone else. Just those idiots from the soccer club.

Why them? Because they're idiots.

Josh is their star player.

I've had to fight to get him in the right position, get him noticed.

Not that it matters now.

Well, why did it matter before?

Because I promised his mother

right before she died that I'd do anything for him.

So that way it'd be like he still had the both of us there.

Well, gee, that's putting a bit of pressure on yourself isn't it?

So I yell at soccer.

It's not like I can scream anywhere else.

And that's what you wanna do, isn't it?

Scream. Yeah.

All day, every day.

Well, for Christ's sake, find another way to do it.

Build a shed in the backyard and soundproof it

or get up early and drive into the middle of nowhere and do it

but don't act like one of them.

Josh needs you to be with him now.

More than ever before.

Yeah.

There, is that better?

You're an angel.

Tell it to my boss.

How are you feeling, Mr Wilcox?

Son, I got kicked in the orchestras. How do you think?

Well, that's why I want to go through

this consent form for theatre with you.

The surgeon's gonna make an incision in your scrotum

and if needs be he'll go on to perform an orchidotomy.

What the hell's that when it's at home?

An orchidotomy is the surgical exploration of a testicle.

Right, and with any operation, there are certain risks involved.

Such as?

Wound infection, bleeding.

If the testicle itself is severely damaged it may need to be removed.

You can stop right there, mate. You're wasting your time.

There's no way I'm signing that!

If my staff are wasting their time treating you,

you can walk out the door right now.

That is, if you can get out of bed by yourself.

Can you?

No.

Well, then don't compound your earlier idiocy

by being an even bigger fool now.

Timely treatment of testicular trauma

is crucial for a successful outcome.

So unless you want to walk out of here

with one ball instead of the customary two,

I suggest you sign the form, say thank you, and shut up.

Well, not withstanding the already potential...

Just give me the bloody thing. Sure thing, Mr Wilcox.

Hey. Got a second? No.

Boss wants a 'please explain'.

Oh. Well, I'll be quick, then.

You don't need to worry about Claire.

She's gonna be staying with me for a while.

She sent you out to tell me that? I offered.

Whose idea was it? Hers or yours? Meaning?

Meaning if she's with you, she can't be with me.

Oh, don't even go there.

If you must know, I'm worried about the both of you.

How well are either of you dealing with this?

We'll get there. Just can't rush these things.

If being together is getting you nowhere,

maybe you need to take some time out

and there is no shame in accepting somebody else's help.

(SIGHS)

You told her that Ian wouldn't be back. How do you know that?

I just do.

What have you done? Nothing.

Mandy, you're really starting to piss me off. Just sign the bloody form.

(RIP!)

You wanna be psych scheduled?

I can have the cuffs back on and you in theatre in 10 minutes.

You won't be able to do anything to stop me.

Is that what you want?

I know -

and Von is working on it now.

I would be upset at being rung the third time too, but...

No, we don't have anything better to do with our time

because we're using all of that trying to save your daughter's life.

But I'd be interested to know why.

Sure you're OK?

No.

But he can't escape this so I'm not going to either.

Now you're talkin'.

How's he doing?

I'm sure seeing you will lift his spirits.

JOSH: Dad? Yeah, mate?

I said I'd come back.

Did you get into it with Mr Wilcox again?

You heard?

The whole hospital did.

I've been trying to remember a match

when I didn't have a blue with somebody.

A ref, a coach.

Another player's dad.

You won't have to worry about that anymore.

A helluva lot's changed for us today.

And my temper's one of them.

I'm finished, Dad.

My life's over.

Like hell it's over.

You and me -

we're a team.

Nothing can beat us.

It has this time.

You remember in 'The Empire Strikes Back'

when Luke and Darth Vader are fighting

and you think it's all over because Luke falls into the Abyss?

Yeah, only he gets sucked into an air vent

and lands on an antenna so that Leia can save him.

We're in the Abyss right now

but we're gonna get out of it.

We're gonna keep fighting.

'Cause the dark side hasn't beaten us yet

and it's not going to, either.

You got that?

Yeah.

Mrs Finch...

I understand,

but, look, you may not always feel that way

and if that day should ever come

and Mandy's no longer alive...

Apparently that day will never come.

Why, though? The girl's clearly got problems.

She's... she's had four laparotomies to retrieve swallowed items.

She's had a temporary colostomy from a pen perforating her bowel

and six endoscopies for pencils, lids and coins

but none of that's the end of the world.

Would attempted murder qualify?

What?

Apparently before Mandy's last arrest

she introduced her teenage sister to drugs and nearly got the kid killed.

So there's no way Mrs Finch is setting foot in All Saints?

You can quote her on that.

Thanks, Von.

Mandy, listen to me.

Your mother's definitely not coming in

so I'm gonna give you one last chance

to sign the consent form allowing us to operate.

Then I'm gonna have to schedule you for non-compliance.

Settle down, Finch. That's not on! You know it.

I don't have a choice. If I don't do this, you'll die.

(GASPS, CHOKES)

She's choking. Claire.

Claire! Come on!

She's not gonna croak, is she?

Not if we can get her to theatre quickly enough.

We right? Yep.

Let's go.

ADAM: Getting at the battery in theatre was pretty easy

but the toothbrush not so much.

There was no damage getting it out and, uh...

..you didn't end up with another scar.

So you won after all.

And Mum.

Can you give us a minute?

I'm not supposed to.

Please?

We found out today why your mother wouldn't come in.

Not the attempted murder bullshit.

It was Lizzie's idea to take drugs.

I tried to talk her out of it.

And it went bad?

I thought she'd be safer if I kept an eye on her

but she took more when I wasn't looking

and she OD'd.

Did you explain that to your mum?

What's the point?

She hasn't spoken to me since.

That's why the toothbrush.

But it was so impacted it must have been inside you for months.

When she didn't visit at Christmas I knew she was serious.

So I popped the brush and waited to feel crook.

Nothing happened.

Why'd you wait till now to say anything?

Today's my birthday.

I thought she might have forgiven me.

I'd never dob on my sister but...

..I thought for once I might come first.

That's tough

when not even your mum stands by you.

Mmm.

So maybe it's time to let go

and close that door.

I know it hurts but you can't keep shoving stuff

down your throat the rest of your life.

She's right.

'Cause that's what it is - it's your life.

Doing this is just gonna ruin it.

Make it into something good.

Like you did.

It's not impossible.

(SIGHS)

Are you sure you wanna be on the MRU backup list?

Along with every other doctor in the hospital.

Come on, stop making a big deal out of it.

Making a big deal out of what?

What bloody idiot thought this up? That'd be me.

Since when do we do Vlasek's dirty work for him?

Well, since one of us was smart enough to realise

a properly staffed MRU is in our best interests.

You see?

I just don't want anything happening to you.

Can't tell if that's sweet or insulting.

Is there anyone in this department who isn't on this list?

Don't get any ideas, Beaumont.

You right to go? Yeah.

How did Steve take it?

About me staying with you. He understood.

That's the report you wanted. What's going on, Steve?

Just a stupid incident.

You can read all about it in there.

No, no, no. Sit down. Come on.

I mean, what's really going on?

With you, personally.

Nothing.

OK, well, in that case I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to ask...

..you back on the booze?

No.

I have thought about it a bit lately.

Why?

I can't tell you.

Well, if you ever need to...

You know, just when you think life's going really well...

Yeah. I know.

Had a few times like that myself.

How'd you get through them?

If you're still sober, I think you already know.

How was your walk on the wild side?

Did you get through to her?

Oh, yeah. Said the words.

Don't we all?

What made you keep saying them to me?

Oh, everyone needs a hobby.

I'm serious.

There were a couple of times when I wanted to slap her in the face.

I can't imagine what that would feel like.

So why did you keep putting up with that from me?

I didn't want you becoming another statistic

under the Jones Street overpass.

And after that?

Oh, um... which time?

Oh, was it when you... hocked my television and video

or when you took the money out of my purse?

All of them.

Why did you keep putting up with the little jerk I was back then?

Well, the same reasons you did today.

I thought if I kept digging, I'd...

..I'd find a good kid.

There's always tomorrow, though.