Surprise Meetings

Setting: The nurses desk at Sexton District Hospital

Jeremy: You're looking tired and pale today Bron.

Bron: Could say the same thing about you sweetie

Jeremy: Oh but I have 2 weeks break away from here to look forward
to..

Bron: Oh I envy you. I need at least one day, just 24 hours to get
the house sorted after our move out here.

Jeremy: And I can imagine with a baby on the way and Gemma and Joe
living there it hasn't been an easy settling in period.

Bron joined Jeremy at the desk. It was a quiet moment in the
hospital with only a few patients actually admitted and no one
requiring emergency treatment.

Bron: I love having Gemma and Joe living there….and we've always
wanted kids….

Jeremy: I can here a big BUT coming.

Bron: Yeah, but it wasn't meant to happen this way…so soon and all
that.

Jeremy: Look I've been thinking…if you ever want a break from Gemma…
well I've got a spare room…and it does get overly lonely there…..so
I'd be happy to give you and Ben that space you're craving….

Bron: (obviously considering the suggestion replied) Now why didn't
you suggest that first off?

Jeremy: Didn't want to tread on anyones toes.

Bron: Nah we'll be fine. I'm sure she is just staying with us till
she gets on her feet. Don't think she is the kind to take
advantage. She'll move out when she feels ready…

Jeremy: Otherwise?

Bron: Otherwise (Bron stops mid sentence thinking of what next to
say) Otherwise I have ways and means of getting things the way I want
them.

Jeremy: Not to self, never be mean to Bronnie…

Bron laughs

Bron: You got it buster….

At that moment the front door could be heard banging closed and Ben
walked in with a patient on a trolley. Ben's partner Mike wheeled
the patient into a nearby cubicle and returned.

Ben: Sorry we didn't call you…something is up with your phone line.

Jeremy: Didn't they tell you…something about the phone line here
getting cut and having to wait till Monday before they send someone
out from the city to fix it.

Bron: Sounds just like the problems we used to have at All Saints
only we were IN the city and the maintenance guys totally sucked.

Ben: Mike I'd like you to meet my gorgeous wife Bron.

Mike: So you're the one he's madly in love with and can't stop
talking about….

Bron: Guess hes been boring you senseless with baby talk?

Mike: I don't mind really…..it's a welcome change from the last guy
who I worked with. Always on about his retirement…and the ways the
ambulance service has changed…..

Bron: Nice meeting you Mike.

Bron: Better get and help this patient

Ben: Nathan is a 22 year old farm hand…. Seems to get bad asthma when
he goes near anything to do with hay. This morning his boss found
him outside slumped against a wall unable to breathe with a loud
audible wheeze. Thought you lot should take a look at him.

Jeremy signed off the paper work and joined Bron in the cubicle.

Bron: So Nathan, we hear you've been having trouble breathing…….have
you had asthma all your life?

Nathan: Nah, nah not asthma….

Jeremy: Sure sounds like asthma to me

Nathan: I really should get back to work….it's nothing…it'll settle
down shortly..

Bron: You're going nowhere mate now keep that mask on and I'll take
your blood pressure.

Bron firmly placed the cuff around his arm and took his blood
pressure.

Bron: BP is up….Temperature is raised at 38 degrees and he seems to
have a bit of lung consolidation in the right lobe…

Jeremy: Yeah I just noticed that…..looks like the Salbutamol is
working though.

The Salbutamol nebuliser had helped open up his airways and his
respiratory rate was now slowing down.

Jeremy wrote out his order for antibiotics on the chart and Bron went
away to get the medication.

Jeremy: By the looks of it you have more than asthma….it seems you
have a chest infection….pneumonia….haven't you noticed you've been
feeling increasingly fatigued and out of breath lately?

Nathan: Well yeah…but I thought it was just the result of having the
flu…

Jeremy: Aaah the flu…..now the picture is becoming clearer…

Jeremy: And did you think to rest while you had the flu….

Nathan: Well…no because it's a new job…..I couldn't take time off…the
boss wouldn't understand.

Jeremy: He's going to have to understand now mate as you'll be
sticking around here for a bit.

Bron: Lets get these into you and you'll be feeling much better.

Scene ends with Bron drawing up medication into the syringe.

AD BREAK

Ben and Mike are sitting outside on a bench….waiting for their next
callout.

Mike: So how are you liking Sexton?

Ben: Haven't had much of a chance to explore. It seems nice…the
people are friendly.

Mike: Nothing much to explore you'll find….although about an hours
drive south there is a beautiful place…..with the most beautiful
waterfall….the perfect place for a quiet moment with your wife.

Ben: Sounds like something Bron and I would enjoy…

Ben: Anywhere to go camping?

Mike: Actually yeah Sue – my wife and I love to go camping at a dam
called "Farley's Dam". It's around that area too….We should all go
together one day…

Ben: How about you bring Sue around for dinner tonight….Bron's got
some snags in the fridge that she doesn't feel like cooking so it
will be a good excuse to use them up.

Mike: Is it okay if I bring the kids….

Ben: I didn't know you had kids.

Ben looked a bit surprised having not heard Mike mention them in the
2 weeks he'd been working alongside him.

Mike: (laughing) Don't get me started…its complicated….Sue is my
second wife, she has two boys from a previous marriage…and we have 1
child together…a little girl Annabelle….and another in the oven as
they say.

Ben: So she's pregnant too….Bron will love having another woman to
discuss all that kinda stuff with….

Ben felt the need to share a bit about his life

Ben: Yeah Bron is my second wife….my first wife…Steph….she died in a
car accident…drunk driver…thought I'd never find love again….

Ben: But Bron….well…. it took a tragedy to find my soulmate…..

The radio beeped aloud to alert them to a new case……..

Ad break:

Jeremy is standing at the nurses station as Bron comes back after
doing her last set of obs for the shift.

Jeremy: So how's our patient doing?

Bron: Slight improvement, still too early for anything major.

Jeremy: And how are you Sister Markham? How's the morning sickness?

Bron: More annoying than anything.

Jeremy: (laughing) Oh the joys of being a woman…

Bron: Now I know why women are the ones to carry the child, if it was
left up to men the human race would have gone extinct years ago!

Jeremy: As a male of the species, I resent that! Look at what men
have to put up with…women nagging us all the time, whingeing,
moaning….it's a hard life, that of a man Bronnie.

Everyone at the nurses station looks at him.

Jeremy: What?

Bron: And they wonder why you're still single.

Jeremy looks hurt and walks off miffed as Ben comes to pick Bron up.

Ben: What's up with him?

Bron: He's just been filling us in on the difficult life of being a
man.

Ben: (looks confused) Oh…

Bron: Don't ask

Ben: Ok then, I won't. Ready to go?

Bron: Yeah

Bron and Ben walk out of the hospital and towards their car

Ben: I hope you don't mind, but I invited Mike and his wife and their
kids around for dinner….thought we could have a BBQ.

Bron: (absentmindedly) Yeah….

Ben: Bron? Are you listening?

Bron: Sounds good...what?

Ben: What's wrong, you haven't heard a word I've said.

Bron stops as they reach the car and looks at him

Bron: Do I nag you?

Ben: What? Why would you think that?

Bron: It's just Jeremy said…

Ben put a finger to her lips, effectively shushing her

Ben: (smiling) No, you don't nag me. You make me the happiest man in
the world Bron….I mean it.

Bron smiled back at him and put her arms around his waist hugging him.

Ben: Now about that BBQ….

Bron: Ok…but you're cooking!

AD BREAK

Bron and Mike's wife Sue are in the kitchen as Bron is chopping the
vegetables for a salad.

Sue: So have you and Ben been married long?

Bron: (smiling) Nearly 3 months.

Sue: Ah newly-weds! I should have known.

Bron: (laughing) Why does everyone say that? Does it show?

Sue: There's just something so lovely about 2 people newly married.
It's the happiest time in your life. Starting out, just the two of
you….

Sue trailed off as Gemma came into the room.

Bron: Hi Gemma. Sue, this is Gemma….she and her baby are staying
with Ben and me for awhile.

Sue: (smiling warmly) Hi Gemma

Gemma: (sullenly) Hi. Bron I just put Joe down for a nap, could you
keep an ear out for him while I go for a walk?

Bron: Yeah, sure.

Gemma: Thanks.

Gemma leaves

Sue: Sorry, didn't mean to put my foot in it.

Bron: Nah, don't worry about it.

Sue: Must be hard sometimes, having her around.

Bron: Honestly?

Sue nodded

Bron: Yeah, sometimes I come home and I ache and all I want is to be
alone with Ben, and there are these 2 strangers invading every place
I look…

Sue nodded sympathetically

Bron: But then I hold Baby Joe, and he looks at me and he's so tiny
and helpless…and then I feel mean and selfish.

Sue: (putting her arm around Brons' shoulders) No, no, no that's not
mean and selfish at all! It's understandable. In fact, I think
you're amazing , I wouldn't have taken her in at all - and I used to
be a social worker!

Meanwhile outside…

Ben and Mike are at the BBQ while the kids run around playing chasey

Mike: (Taking a sip of his beer) Reckon we should check on the women-
folk?

Ben: Nah, they'll be right. Bron will make friends with anyone.

Mike: Sue's the same, draws people to her like a moth to a flame.

Ben: How long have you two been married?

Mike: 5 years

Ben turns the meat on the grill

Mike: So tell me….what was your partner like before me?

Ben: Scott? He was a pain in the arse…a real clown….gets into
trouble faster than you can say it…but I miss him.

Mike: Were you close?

Ben: He was my best man.




Mike: Were you senior to him?

Ben: Yeah…he started out on the road with me….taught him everything
he knows….

Bron joins them outside at the table

Bron: How's the BBQ going…..?

Bron takes a look over near the BBQ and runs back inside…..

Ben noticing Bron's quick exit puts his beer down on the table and
races after her….

AD BREAK

Bron is leaning over the toilet and Ben is rinsing a washcloth under
cold running water…..

Ben: By the time you have this baby you'll be off all food groups…

Bron: They say it all resolves by the second trimester

Ben: Is that when you start glowing?

Bron: Supposedly…

Ben: I'll leave the lights off from now on so hopefully it will
encourage you to glow….

Bron: Ha ha …

Bron smiles

Ben: I'm worried….

Bron: Don't be…its all natural…they say the sicker you are the
healthier the baby is….

Ben: What idiot told you that?

Bron: Charlotte…and she isn't an idiot so take that back…..

Ben: Well Charlotte will have some explaining to do if you don't
start getting better soon……

Bron: Just get that damn washcloth over here and give me a hug….


Sue and Mike are now seated at the table….

Sue: Are you sure this was a good idea…I mean she isn't very well…I
wouldn't have wanted people around when I was suffering with morning
sickness.

Mike: Lucky you're over that now!

Sue: I should tell Bron about that home remedy for morning
sickness….worked wonders for me….

Mike: They're lovely people aren't they?

Sue: She'll make a great mum….you can just see it…

The kids were now fighting over whose turn it was to kick the ball…..

Sue: Annabelle….Daniel….Darren…if you don't stop arguing you will all
miss out on dessert… Now go inside and wash your hands…

There was a knock at the door – it was Jeremy.

Ben answered the door

Ben: Jeremy…great to see you could make it…sorry about the late
notice and all that…

Jeremy: hope I'm not intruding on anything?

Ben: Nah…I'm the one who should be sorry…..you should have been
invited in person not over the phone…

Jeremy: Don't stress over it…its nice to have a free feed..

Ben: If you go straight down the hall you'll find Sue and Mike at the
barbie…I've just gotta go check on Bron.

Jeremy: yep, thanks….

Jeremy passed half a dozen cans of beer into bens hands….

Ben: You can come again…

Ad break:

Scene: Jeremy and Mike at the barbie and Sue is settling the kids in
at the table….

Bron: Missing the party am I?

Sue: You look….better….

Bron: I think its all up now.

Sue: Have you tried Ginger and Rich tea biscuits…they did wonders
when I was sick with morning sickness..

Bron: Don't know why they call it morning sickness…more like all day
sickness

Jeremy: It should be you taking the two weeks break not me….

Gemma was standing at the door holding baby Joe….obviously having
overheard the news.

Gemma: Congratulations

Ben: Thanks…its what we've always wanted….

Gemma: I guess I should be moving on…..there isn't really enough room
here for me and Joe and a new baby….and its not fair on you….

Jeremy: Gemma…You can say no…but how about you come and move in with
me….you could help me out around the house and I'd give you free
board…

Gemma: You don't need me complicating your life too…I should just get
outta town..

Jeremy: Look would I have suggested it if I didn't want you moving in
with me…

Jeremy: Say yes or else

Gemma: Or else what…

Bron: Or else Dr Jeremy will become one sad little boy…

Ben: Yeah he needs the experience with babies….

Gemma hands Joe to Jeremy

Gemma: Okay well that's a deal then….

The scene ends with everyone laughing…..Bron puts a cd into the cd
player and turns up the volume…. The mozzie coils are brightly
shining in the dusk light, Joe is snuggled up in Jeremy's arms….Bron
is sipping her Iced Water….


I ain't got a fever got a permanent disease
It'll take more than a doctor to prescribe a remedy
I got lots of money but it isn't what I need
Gonna take more than a shot to get this poison out of me
I got all the symptoms count 'em 1,2,3

First I need
That's what you get for falling in love
Then you bleed
You get a little but it's never enough
On your knees
That's what you get for falling in love
And now this boy's addicted cause your kiss is the drug

Your love is like bad medicine
Bad medicine is what I need
Shake it up, just like bad medicine
There ain't no doctor that can
Cure my disease

Bad, bad medicine
Bad, bad medicine

I don't need no needle
To be giving me a thrill
And I don't need no anesthesia
Or a nurse to bring a pill
I got a dirty down addiction
It doesn't leave a track
I got a jump for your affection
Like a monkey on my back

There ain't no paramedic
Gonna save this heart attack

When you need
That's what you get for falling in love
Then you bleed
You get a little but it's never enough
On your knees
That's what you get for falling in love
Now I'm addicted and your kiss is the drug

Your love is like bad medicine
Bad medicine is what I need
Shake it up, just like bad medicine
So let's play doctor, baby
Cure my disease

Bad, bad medicine
Bad, bad medicine

[Solo]

I need a respirator cause I'm running out of breath
You're an all night generator wrapped is stockings and a dress
When you find your medicine you take what you can get
Cause if there's something better baby well they haven't found it yet

Your love is like bad medicine
Bad medicine is what I need
Shake it up, just like bad medicine
There ain't no doctor that can
Cure my disease

Your love is like bad medicine
Bad medicine is what I need
Shake it up, just like bad medicine
Your love's the potion that
Can cure my disease

Bad, bad medicine
Bad, bad medicine



Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi

Bronwyn Markham played by the gorgeous Libby Tanner
Ben Markham played by the ever increasing spunky and hunky Brian
Vriends
Jeremy Carter played by the gorgeous Jeremy Callaghan
Gemma played by (someone with curly red hair…)
Sue Fredricks played by Anne Looby
Mike Fredricks played by Jon Concannon
Joe played by a gorgeously cute newborn…
Charlotte Beaumont played by the talented Tammy MacIntosh


An Amarous Ambo's production.

COPYRIGHT 2003 L & L