A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN, PART 7
Precision Timing
Outside Ben is hopping into the car…heading off to work…Bron is
dressed ready for work seeing him off.
Bron: I'm not looking forward to this shift….its going to be hellish
without Jeremy
Ben: Only another 14 days and then you'll have him back
Bron: Aaah don't remind me
Bron: So is it a long shift today?
Ben: Yeah the whole twelve hours…guess that's the kind of stuff we
have to put up with in the country.
Bron: Oh well off you go to save some poor soul's life
Ben: Don't you stress too much…you just show them whose boss.
Bron: I've heard this replacement is senile in a white coat
Ben: That's a bit harsh Bron…I'm sure he's not that bad….
Bron: I trust the other nurses…I'm sure they wouldn't be
exaggerating..
Ben: Well as my mother used to say. Don't expect anything and you
won't be disappointed
Bron: How about I expect the worst and it can only get better…
Ben: Sounds good…sure you don't want a lift?
Bron: Nah I'm going to walk…it will do us good…
Ben: Okay…don't forget to take your phone…just in case…
Bron: In case I come across something interesting
Ben: Something like that
Ad break:
Bron is seen walking down the long gravel driveway towards the front
gate. She notices a car pulling in up the drive. A car she
recognises.
Bron: OMG what on earth are Youuuuu doing here
Woman in dark glasses: Thought you needed some of Chars brilliant
therapy…a chat over coffee…
Bron: Honey I'd love to…how long have you got…cause I've gotta be at
work in 30 mins…
Charlotte: Well…if you don't mind…the suitcase is in the boot…
Bron: You're kidding….
Charlotte: Not that long honey…I've come for 2 weeks…..
Charlotte: That's if you'll have me for that long?
Bron: For you of course….I've missed you babe…
Charlotte: Speaking of babes how is our little troublemaker…still
giving you hell?
Bron: Yeah the morning sickness is still there…still making every
meal something I dread.
Bron: Ben will be soooo happy you've come to face the music…he says
if I don't get over the morning sickness soon you have some
explaining to do…
Charlotte: Nice, very nice…the troublesome patients that a doctor has
to put up with..
Bron: Do you reckon we could catch up this arvo…sorry to have to
leave you alone all day. You can offload your stuff inside and go for
a drive if you want…
Charlotte: Stuff the stuff…hop in and I'll drive you to work..
Charlotte: What on earth is Ben doing leaving you to walk to work
Bron: I needed time in the fresh air
Charlotte: How about a whirl in my new car…that should clear your
head…
Bron: Sounds good….
The black sports car can be seen driving off into the distance…
Sexton District Hospital emergency waiting room: Monday morning
Nurse Smith comments to Nurse Lawson: What is it with Mondays and a
full waiting room…
Nurse Smith: The usual…they've all slept in over the weekend…or eaten
too much, played too hard at footy….kissed too many cows…
Nurse Lawson laughs…
Nurse Lawson: Bron is just going to die of shock when she sees how
old he is…
Nurse Smith: Hehe well we warned her….it's her fault if she thought
we were lying..
Nurse Lawson: Ha the first time I saw him I thought he was a patient…
boy was I mistaken…that was 2 weeks of hell…having to repeat myself…
having to check his every order…..Jeremy why on earth did you have to
have two weeks break.!
Voice: (from off-stage) Nurse, nurse, nurse….
Nurse Lawson: It's your turn…I've got to organise some patient
transport.
Nurse Smith…how long till Bron's on shift….
Nurse Lawson: oh about 20 mins…
Nurse Smith: Then we're free…
The old doctor is standing behind them
Doc Jones: I've been calling for over 10 minutes…you are both
unprofessional to be gossiping on duty…..now the patient…errr
aaaahh….Don…
Nurse Smith: Dan…
Old Doc Jones: Yes, Yes that is what I said…DAN…
Doc Jones : His medication has been changed…and I want it started
now.
Nurse Smith: Ah I don't mean to question your authority but he has
been recovering on the Erythromycin for the past few days and Dr
Carter specifically requested he not be changed.
Doc Jones : Yes well he isn't here is he…and I am…
Nurse Smith…but I'm sure there was a reason why he couldn't have
penicillin
Doc Jones: There is nothing noted in his chart…just do it will you….
Nurse Lawson: YES DR JONES
AD BREAK:
Charlotte: So how do you like the car?
Bron: What was wrong with the old car…well not exactly old car…
Charlotte: Thought I needed to spoil myself…
Bron: And you have……Aaah I'd love a car like this…
Bron: But Ben is so….what is the word I'm after..
Charlotte: Such a Volvo driver?
Bron: Yeah - you know the whole family car…safe reliable…
Charlotte: And BMW's aren't any of those?
Bron: Ben would blow a fuse if he saw me driving a car like this….
Charlotte pulls the car over to the side of the road
Charlotte:….here swap over…you can drive…give me the Sexton tour…
Bron: You don't want a crazed pregnant woman driving this sexy sports-
car do you….
Charlotte: Go ahead…live a little…
Bron laughs
Charlotte hops out and Bron hops over onto the drivers
seat…..Charlotte hops back in the passengers side.
Bron says : Beaumont, you don't need these do you…?
Bron takes Charlottes sunnies off her head
Bron : Just getting the look right…..
Charlotte: (Laughing) So Thelma and Louise-ish…now why on earth don't
you take a sickie and we go on our very own adventure.
Bron: You know I'd easily, easily, easily take a sickie…any day but
today
Charlotte: You still haven't told me what's so special about today.
Bron: Special…special I wish… more like hellish
Bron starts the engine and they speed off…the car tyres swish up the
gravel…
Bron: The young registra I told you about – Jeremy…had to take a 2
week break…something about doctors in the country having to have a
mandatory 2 week refresher course back in Sydney every 6 months.
Charlotte: Wouldn't know..me never worked in the country..
Bron: So he's gone and I'm left with someone who is described as
senile, 80 and wearing a white coat…
Charlotte: Sounds like someone outta the nursing home….
Bron: so now you know why I can't take a day off today….
Charlotte: Well if you need an urgent dose of valium stuck up his
rear end you know where I am…don't want him giving you any trouble.
Bron: I'll remember that….
Bron: (pointing out the window) So those are the shops…
Charlotte: What the only shops?
Bron: yep hardware, general store, petrol….that's about all…
Charlotte: What no coffee shop…
Bron: That's why they sell coffee in bottles Beaumont.
Charlotte: Could never quite understand why they did that…thanks ever
so muchly for filling me in…
Bron: See you haven't lost any of that sarcasm…
Charlotte: Nelson's been keeping me on my toes…
Bron: So how is Sister Curtis…
Charlotte: Sister Curtis is fine..relishing in the role of Num….
Bron: Am I missed?
Charlotte: Missed isn't the word….sweetie the ward just isn't the
same without the bright and bubbly Bronnie cheering up the patients.
Bron: Yeah instead you've got the horrifying nurse Paula terrifying
them….
Charlotte: And that we do…
Charlotte: And we've got a new nurse…argh what a shocker?
Bron: That bad is he?
Charlotte: Bad isn't the word…guaranteed he seems to be a competent
nurse…BUT
Bron: But what?
Charlotte: Char was expecting some cute female thing…possibilities
Bron…and they sent him….
Bron: Awww poor baby…
Ad break:
Ben and Mike are pushing the trolley out of the hospital doors after
delivering yet another patient to the emergency department.
Mike sees a black sports-car in the distance
Mike: Wouldn't you just love one of those
Ben: Bet you don't see too many BMW's around here..
Mike: Oh you know the occasional stuck up gentleman and his lady
friend returning from their drive out to the country…
Ben: It looks to be turning in here..
Mike: I bet you $5 its someone asking for directions..
Ben: Nah has to be a patient…someone got sick on the long drive…
Mike and Ben shake
Ben: Deal
Meanwhile in the car….
Bron: Uh-oh that's Ben and Mike….typical just my luck to pull in with
them there.
Charlotte: Well we wanted an audience. Can't let you driving a sexy
sports-car go unnoticed.
Bron: Ben is going to have a heart attack
Charlotte: Well he's in the right place
Bron turns off the ignition…..all eyes are on the black sports-car…..
Out hops Bron…
Ben: Mrs Markham…what…on earth are you doing driving that…
Charlotte hops out the other side…
Charlotte: Surprise you did we?
Ben: Not you too…you're the bad influence causing my wife to drive
around in that.
Charlotte: Let the girl have a bit of fun….all work and no play makes
Bron a boring girl..
Ben: You've got one thing wrong there…Bron is all fun and no work…and
she is never a boring girl…
Bron: Excuse me I do work very hard..
Ben: What I meant was that you enjoy life so much that nothing is a
chore..
Bron: Only cleaning up the cow dung in the paddocks…now that is a
chore…
Charlotte walks up to Ben and they embrace…
Ben: It's so good to see you…you're looking well….
Charlotte: Thought I'd take some time out to come and see how good
this place is
Ben: Well we love it…it takes a few days to really get the city out
of your veins…and then you really appreciate the country for the
country..
Charlotte: Well aint I lucky I'm here for more than a few days…if
you'll have me
Bron: I've said she can stay with us…you don't mind do you
Ben: Of course not…we just happen to have a spare room now too.
Ben: Charlotte this is Mike my new partner. Mike this is Dr
Charlotte Beaumont a friend of ours from AS.
Mike: Nice to meet you Charlotte – Lovely car…do you mind if I take a
look inside
Charlotte: Go right ahead..
Bron: Well the show is over for me…better get inside..the sooner the
better…
Charlotte: Just you remember the valium
Bron: See ya tonight…thanks for the lift.
Charlotte: See ya tonight, Noodle.
Mike looks at Ben
Mike: Noodle?
Ben shrugs
Charlotte: ….she took my sunnies
AD BREAK
Sexton District Hospital Waiting Room…
Bron enters, ready to start her shift. Both Nurses' Smith and Lawson
are anxious to hand over.
Lawson: (smiles) Ready to go into battle?
Bron: Ready and waiting.
Smith: Thank god you're here! I'm losing my voice from having to
repeat everything over….and he's only been on duty 30 minutes!
Dr: (from off screen) I need a nurse in here!
All 3 rush in to where he is calling from. The patient, Dan, is
having trouble breathing and his heart rate has become erratic.
Dr: Draw up some vailum, it's obvious this patient is having a panic
attack!
Lawson: (to Bron) Jeremy had Dan on Erythromycin…
Bron: That's right, Dan's allergic to penicillin….
Dr: I'll get it myself!
Dr hurries out as Lawson and Smith exchange looks
Bron: What?
Smith: Dr Jones changed Dan's meds this morning…
Bron snatched the chart up and looked at it
Bron: It's right there on his chart that he's allergic to
penicillin….he's going into anephelactic shock….I'll go get some
adrenalin.
Bron runs to get the adrenalin as Charlotte comes to get her sunnies
back off Bron.
Bron: Beaumont, you're coming with me
Bron drags Charlotte off
Charlotte: (cheekily) Honey, what will Ben say?
Bron: Not now Charlotte…..this is 35 year old Dan, allergic to
penicillin, Jeremy had him on Erythromycin, was given 10 milligrams
of penicillin 15 minutes ago…
Charlotte: You're asking me to step in?
Bron: Yes
Charlotte: Ok
Time lapse…
20 minutes later Bron and Charlotte come out of Dans room, Nurses'
Smith and Lawson are waiting at the desk.
Charlotte: You'll have to make a complaint….it's obvious he's no
longer competent.
Bron: I know…I'm not looking forward to having to explain this to the
board.
Charlotte: And you thought things would be boring in the country!
The Markham property - Ben walks in after his shift.
Ben: Bron…I'm home!
Bron: (Off-screen) We're in the kitchen!
Ben walks into the kitchen where he finds Bron, Charlotte and Sue
sitting around the table. Sue pushes a mug towards Bron.
Sue: Go on, drink it! It works, I swear…
Ben: What's going on?
Charlotte: We're trying to find a cure for Brons' morning sickness.
Ben picks up the mug and sniffs it
Ben: What is it?
Sue: Ginger tea, worked wonders for me.
Bron: Just the thought of ginger tea is making me nauseous…
Ben kissed her gently on the cheek, worried but not wanting to
smother her.
Bron: How was your day?
Ben: No where near as exciting as yours, I believe…getting Doc Jones
struck off…
Charlotte: And guess who's filling in until Dr Carter returns?
Ben: Thought you came down here for a holiday?
Charlotte: So did I, but I have this problem saying no where Bron is
concerned…
Ben: Don't we all?
Bron: Oh by the way, the hospital rang they've had to reschedule our
appointment.
Ben: Bron…
Bron: Ben, it's only a week, and you're the one who insisted we go to
All Saints…
Bron: (Starting to stand up) I'm sorry Char, but the smell of that
coffee is making me sick.
Charlotte: I usually have that effect on people!
Bron opens her mouth to reply, but has to rush off to the bathroom,
covering her mouth with her hand. Ben follows.
Sue: By the way, welcome to Sexton Charlotte…
Run just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear you're just like a pill
Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me
ill
You keep makin' me ill
I haven't moved from the spot where you left me
This must be a bad trip
All of the other pills, they were different
Maybe I should get some help
I can't stay on your life support, there's a
shortage in the switch,
I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me
itch
I said I tried to call the nurse again but shes
being a little bitch,
I think I'll get outta here, where I can
Run just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear you're just like a pill
Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me
ill
You keep makin' me ill
Run just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear you're just like a pill
Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me
ill
You keep makin' me ill
I can't stay on your life support, there's a
shortage in the switch,
I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me
itch
I said I tried to call the nurse again but shes
being a little bitch,
I think I'll get outta here, where I can
Run just as fast as I can
To the middle of nowhere
To the middle of my frustrated fears
And I swear you're just like a pill
Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me
ill
You keep makin' me ill
Just like a pill - Pink
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
Sue Fredricks played by Anne Looby
Mike Fredricks played by Jon Concannon
Dr Jones played by Michael Craig
Charlotte Beaumont played by the talented Tammy MacIntosh
An Amarous Ambo's production.
COPYRIGHT 2003 L & L
* Please note, the medical procedures used in this episode of A
little piece of heaven may not be entirely accurate. It is possible
that this episode may be edited and re-posted in the future.