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Episode 3 Life, Medicine
and Miracles |
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Setting: The Markham property. Ben is waiting for Bron to arrive home from her shift at "Sexton District Hospital. The radio is playing softly in the background as Ben prepares dinner. Radio: This just in - A severe storm warning has just been issued for the township of Sexton and neighbouring communities. Residents are told to 'batten down the hatches' and are strongly advised against travelling… Ben frowns, worried about Bron travelling home in the storm and reaches for the phone. Bron: (Fading in and out) Hello? Ben: Bron, it's me. They've just issued a storm warning, are you right to be driving home tonight….? The phone went dead at the other end. Ben: Bron…? Bron…are you there? Realising that the connection had been broken, Ben dialled Bron's number again, and was frustrated when he heard the familiar 'The number you are calling has been switched off…' Alf: 'knock, knock' Only me, just came to see if you needed any help readying for the storm? Ben: (Still looking worried) How far off is the storm do you think? Alf (Scratching his head) Another couple of hours I'd say from the looks of the sky. Worried about Bronnie, making it home eh? I wouldn't worry, that little wife of yours is pretty tough (chuckling) Ben: That's what worries me… Alf: Come again? Ben: (Sighing) Meaning Bron wouldn't think twice about helping someone, even if it put her in danger. Ben looks out on the rapidly greying sky as the scene ends. Scene 2 - Car Park of Sexton district hospital. Bron is walking towards her car with her new colleague and friend Dr Jeremy Carter. Jeremy: So when are you going to drop everything and run away with me Sister Markham? Bron: And what would I tell my husband? Jeremy: That you've met a handsome, wonderful doctor who is whisking you off… Bron's amused laughter is abruptly cut off by a very feint voice calling for help. Voice: HELP! Bron and Jeremy look at each other Bron: Did you hear that? Jeremy (Nodding) Yeah, it's coming from over there…. (Jeremy pointed over in the distance, where there was an old, dis-used shed) Racing over to the shed, Bron and Jeremy discover a pregnant woman obviously in labor. Terrified and exhausted, she had just about given up any hope of anyone hearing her. Jeremy, not quite used to such emergencies, hung back a bit while Bron knelt beside the girl. Bron: Hi, I'm Bron and this is Jeremy. What's your name? Girl: (Moaning as another contraction presents itself) Gemma… Bron: (Looks at Jeremy) Do you know her? Jeremy: (Shakes his head) No, I've never seen her before. Gemma: (Contraction easing off) I'm just passing thru. Bron: Ok Gemma, do you know how pregnant you are? Gemma: (Shakes her head) Bron: Have your waters broken yet? Gemma nods as another much stronger contraction comes on. Bron (To Jeremy) Go get a stretcher. Jeremy nods and races off as Gemma's contraction eases off and she smiles at Bron, noting her wedding ring. Gemma: Are you married? Bron: (Smiles and nods) Yep! Gemma: Do you have kids? Bron: Not yet. We're still newly-weds, we've got plenty of time. Gemma: That's what I thought too. Then they told me I'd never have kids, severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, they said. Guess I proved them wrong. Bron smiles Bron: Guess so… Gemma: Does your husband like kids? Bron: Ben loves kids… Gemma: Then why are you waiting? Bron looks thoughtful as they scene ends Scene 3 - The Markham Property. Ben is still anxiously waiting for Bron to arrive home from work, the sky is now practically black and thunder can be heard in the distance. Ben is outside making sure that everything that should be tied-down is. Walking back towards the house, he hears a whimpering sound and goes to investigate. The whimpering leads him into the barn he and Bron spent their first night together in Sexton. Hiding behind a bale of hay, is an obviously lost dog, malnourished, but seemingly un-injured. He wags his tail at Ben a little and Ben walks slowly over to the poor dog, talking softly and reassuringly. Ben: Hey there fella. What's your name eh? The dog continues to wag it's tail at Ben, sensing that Ben was a friend. Ben squats down in front of him and the dog gives his hand a gentle lick. Ben: (Grinning) I know someone who is going to fall in love with you the minute she see's you. How about we go get you fed and presentable before she gets home. Not wanting to scare the dog, Ben motions for the dog to follow him. Slowly the dog gets up and follows Ben into the house. Ben: Here are you thirsty mate?…..I bet you're hungry too…..you look like you need a bit of TLC. The dog stood shaking in the doorway with his tail between his legs and his ears back. Ben knelt down and calmly called the dog over to the water bowl. It took what seemed a few minutes for the dog to make its way across the tiled kitchen floor. Ben: Here mate have a drink….it's ok I'm not going to hurt you. The dog looked up at Ben and then drank the water from the bowl. Ben stood up and walked towards the biscuit barrel. Ben: Looks like it will have to be a biscuit. There's not much food in the house……..Bron likes these ones with the raisons in…..not too fussed on them myself…but you eat what you've got….. The dog standing close to Ben refused to take the biscuit at first. Ben calmed his voice down and said: "here fella I'll leave it over here…if you want it you can have it". Ad break Meanwhile back to Sexton District Hospital and the examination room. I'm just going to examine you again Gemma…sorry about this…..Bron slowly felt inside Gemma….she eyed Jeremy to come closer…. Bron: Damn the cord is being compressed….its around the baby's neck…. Jeremy feeling anxious: well can you unwrap it? Bron flustered says : I'm trying but its not happening….. Gemma was starting to cry… Bron: .it's okay Gemma I just have to talk to Jeremy for a sec…. Bron threw her gloves to the floor and walked over closer to Jeremy. Bron: Look Jeremy….the cords around the neck…the baby will die with the next contraction…we have to get it out of there… Jeremy: no no I can't…Jeremy was backing away from the room…. Jeremy: Look Bron I've never performed a C Section before….it's my first rural rotation…I'm only new here…just like you….. Bron: Look ….it's either operate or the baby dies…….surely you've read about it…..and it's not as though you haven't operated before…. Jeremy: Yeah…but….I can't….I just can't…. Bron: Can't…what's can't….you can do anything if you put your mind to it…… Jeremy: Bron I had a bad experience……I need time…… Bron: Look I'm hearing you mate but we need to do something otherwise this baby will die…… Bron: Okay do we have an Anesthetist? Jeremy: Old Doc James usually stands in for us and does the gases… Bron panicking….Where can we find him? Jeremy: About two blocks away… Bron: No time…this baby is going to die…I can't live with that…I'll look after the anesthetic you look after the c-section… Bron and Jeremy were already wheeling Gemma into the OR. Jeremy…I'll go get scrubbed… Bron:…make it quick… Bron: I'll go prep the mother and we'll get this baby out before something bad happens…. Ad break Scene: Bron is monitoring Gemma's oxygen levels and keeping sure the Anesthetic is working…..She is thankful that she did that course on emergency anesthetic techniques. Before long the operation was under way….Bron was standing with her fingers crossed and preying to God that the baby would be ok. What seemed like hours….consisted only of 3 minutes ….. the clean incision was made….and the baby yanked out of the uterus……how traumatic it must be for the baby Bron thought…… Jeremy had beads of sweat covering his brow….Bron smiled at him and said "good work" as he passed the baby boy into her arms…… Bron suctioned out the nose and mouth of the baby…and before long the long cry was heard. It was always a relief to hear a baby cry…. at least if you could hear it crying it couldn't have too much seriously wrong with it….. After the necessary checks were done Bron wrapped up baby Norton and snuggled him up into her arms. Gemma was wheeled out of the OR to the recovery area and Bron was left holding the baby. "Welcome to Sexton baby boy". Bron whispered in his ear… With only a small number of staff working in Sexton General Hospital that night Bron was left to monitor mum and baby. She sat herself down near Gemma's bedside…with baby in his cot…and closed her eyes…. Scene shows Bron falling off to sleep… Ad Break: Bron I've made you coffee Jeremy looked in on Gemma expecting to find Bron hovering over the newborn but he was surprised to see her sleeping ever so gently in the chair…. "Looks like I've worn poor Bron out on her first day…." Dr Carter joked to himself. Jeremy sat down at the nursing station and put his feet up on the desk. A worried Ben ran into Emergency Ben: Jeremy…where's Bron…is she okay…I've been so worried about her… she was due home an hour ago and with this storm…. Ben – its okay mate she's in room 17. We had a new admission. Ben relieved to hear Bron was safe…relaxed… Ben: Oh if she's with a patient then I won't disturb her…I don't mind letting her settle in here…and if that means a bit longer for her first shift that's fine by me……J Jeremy: you're a lucky guy…she's one in a million…haven't met anyone quite like her before…. Ben: I am indeed…..J … Ben turned to walk back outside… Ben: When you see Bron can you tell her I'll be waiting for her outside… Ben: Oh by the way..what are you still doing here…thought you were meant to finish same time as Bron… Jeremy : long story…but without Bron here tonight a life would have been lost… Ad break: Scene : Ben returning to the road outside the hospital where his car was parked…street lights shining brightly….the rain falling down off the tree above his car onto the windscreen…the rain had recently stopped pouring so heavily. Ben checked to see if "Fella the dog" was still okay and hopped back in the car to wait for Bron. He switched the radio on…a talk radio station…something to keep him in touch with the real world back in Sydney. Before long Ben looked at his watch and noticed Bron had still not finished her shift. He turned around and looked at "Fella" peacefully sleeping through the night curled up on the picnic rug. Bron turned off the ignition and walked back inside….. Ben: Bron , Bron are you in here…come out come out wherever you are… Jeremy nearly collided with Ben as he turned the corner… Ben: Mate you haven't seen Bron have you…she still hasn't come outside? Jeremy: yeah she's in with our new patient… Jeremy: Actually I just checked on them and was just about to find you….thought you'd be getting sick and tired sitting in that car… Ben: Does the new patient need extra care or something…can't someone else handle it…. Jeremy: You'll understand once you take a peek inside the room…. Jeremy quietly opened the door…Bron was fast asleep….as was Gemma…the newborn had just woken up and started crying… Ben: aaaah you never mentioned baby….it's all clear now…..Bron adores babies….just loves them… Jeremy picked up the crying baby…and brought him outside to the corridor… This is the little precious life we nearly lost tonight….we WOULD have lost tonight if your Bron had never joined us… The precious little life was crying…and wriggling in Jeremy's arms… Jeremy commented to Ben that he never had much luck with babies… Jeremy: I must send out "avoid Jeremy signals"…because they always cry… Ben and Jeremy moved away from room 17 to avoid waking up Bron and Gemma….. Ben: Here it's the way you're holding him….Ben motioned for Jeremy to pass the baby into his arms… Ben: see you have to snuggle him up really close to your body…and body heat…he has to feel secure and warm to be able to feel safe…. Little baby Norton was in Ben's arms for no longer than half a minute when his loud cries…dispensed…and calming faint noises could be heard… Jeremy: ahh see you're a natural….got any kids yourself? Ben: We wish…. Bron and I are newly weds….I've always wanted kids…I'm sure Bron does too…..that was one of the reasons we moved out here….it's a safer place to raise a family…. Ben: But we're just taking things one step at a time…when the timing is right it will happen…. Ben: If not I'll just kidnap this little fella…J Bron: Ben is that you… Bron could be seen walking down the hallway rubbing her eyes….. Bron thought she was dreaming…Ben standing in front of her…nursing a little baby….what a perfect picture… Time: 1am… Ben: Morning gorgeous…I hear you are to thank for saving this little one's life last night…Ben placed a kiss on Bron's cheek. Bron: Nah Jeremy did the slicing and dicing…he's the one we should be thanking.. Jeremy: Bron you did it…you saved his life… Bron: it was a team effort…I wouldn't have coped without you Jeremy so thankyou. Bron: Look Ben…would you mind if …I stayed here the night…just to see Gemma through the night…. Ben: Okay Florence nightingale…I'll see you in the morning…Ben started walking back down the hallway…. Jeremy…I think that baby is hospital property Mr Markham… Bron: chuckled after seeing Ben walking off with the baby. Ben: Oh I guess I'll have to give him back…..Bron you'll have to promise me you'll give me my own bundle of joy sooner rather than later… Bron: When the time is right darling…. Ben placed the baby into Bron's arms and once more gave her a kiss… Meanwhile Gemma had woken up from her anesthetic and had wandered out slowly to find her baby. She could see down the hallway from her room…a pretty picture of Bron, Ben and her baby boy….. Gemma was saddened by the fact that baby Joe would never have a life like that…She watched as Ben kissed Bron, holding her close. Gemma was in a great deal of pain from moving so she slumped up against the wall…….. Jeremy out of the corner of his eye could see Gemma standing up the hallway..obviously in pain…. Jeremy: Gemma…it's okay he's here…… Bron handed baby Joe back to Jeremy and went up to help Gemma back to bed. Bron: It's okay Gemma…he's safe and sound…we just didn't want to wake you… Bron: Oh by the way this is my husband Ben….it's okay he's an ambulance officer….I trust him….and he adores babies…. Gemma….I wasn't worried…I just felt empty without my baby near me. By the way his name is Joe. Ben: Congratulations…you have a gorgeous baby boy here….J I hope my wife has been taking good care of you. And that's a beautiful name. Gemma: Wouldn't complain about the service….. Bron: Come on Gemma…lets get you settled again…this little bloke is hungry… Bron helped Gemma back into bed….Jeremy stood by the bed waiting to hand baby Joe to his mother… Bron: Back in 2 secs Bron: Ben I'm so sorry…..the phone it dropped out…and I couldn't call you back because we found Gemma…and one thing led to another…and the time got away from me! Ben: I understand…shhh! Ben placed his finger to her lips! Ben: (Looking at Bron with concern) You look tired… Bron: I'm ok Ben can sense that something is on Bron's mind Ben: I know that look, what's on your mind? Bron: I'm just worried about Gemma. I don't think she has anywhere to go, I know she hasn't got anyone to help her…..and the baby needs some stability… Ben: And you want to take them home with us…. Bron: I know you probably think I'm crazy for getting so involved… Ben interrupts Bron by cupping her face with his hands. Ben: I think you're wonderful. Ben kisses her again and looks at the baby. Ad break Setting: It's dawn and Bron is just arriving home from her shift at the hospital, walking in through the door she is greeted by a barking dog, wagging it's tail at her. Bending down to stroke the dogs fur she is rewarded with a loving lick, before it trots back to it's bowl. Bron: (To Ben who has just walked out to greet her) Do we have a dog? Ben: (Kissing her) We do now Bron: (sitting down at the kitchen table) Remind me to ask you why later. Bron lays her head down on the table, Ben bends over and kisses her softly making his way from her eyes, to her mouth. Ben: Because he's cute and homeless…..(running his hands over her back) So can we keep him? Bron: (moaning softly) Ok Bron: Looks like we're both bringing home the homeless….are you sure about Gemma and the baby…..It might put a strain on us for a while… Ben: You wouldn't do anything you weren't sure of….I trust you…and I can't refuse giving a innocent little baby shelter and warmth. And the thought of them ever putting a strain on us…we're as strong as steel. Nothing will ever break us apart! Ben: You're exhausted… (Scooping her up easily) Time for bed… The phone starts ringing. Bron: The phone…. Ben: (Kissing her nose) The answering machine's on. The answering machine kicks on and Charlotte's voice came on the line. Charlotte: Bron, I have some bad news. I don't know how to tell you, but Mitch….uh….he didn't make it. He died noodle. Ben stops mid-stride and he and Bron look at each other as the scene fades to black. Fly, fly little wing Fly beyond imagining The softest cloud, the whitest dove Upon the wind of heaven's love Past the planets and the stars Leave this lonely world of ours Escape the sorrow and the pain And fly again Fly, fly precious one Your endless Journey has begun Take your gentle happiness Far too beautiful for this Cross over to the other shore There is peace all one word But hold this mem'ry bittersweet Until we meet. Fly, fly do not fear Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear Your heart is pure, your soul is free Be on your way, don't wait for me Above the universe you'll climb On beyond the hands of time The moon will rise, the sun will set But I won't forget End Credits roll Bron Markham played by the fantabulous Libby Tanner Ben Markham played by the spunky and hunky Brian Vriends Charlotte Beaumont played by the gorgeously talented Tammy McIntosh Jeremy Carter played by.........(still being decided) Gemma played by...... Song used FLY by CELINE DION An Amarous Ambo's production. COPYRIGHT 2003 L & L |