ER

Doug: What are you doing here on your day off? Mark: I went for a jog and ended up here, and I figured I might as well save some lives. Doug: One other good reason not to exercise.

(after Mrs. Henry's tests are done) Mrs. Henry: I just want to take my worms and go home. Carol: I have some bad news for you. Your worms were mistaken for trash and put outside in the snow. Mrs. Henry: Oh, no! Carol: By the time I found out they were already frozen solid. We brought them in, we tried to warm them with blankets and warm water, we used all our capabilities, but we couldn't get them back. I am very sorry! Mrs. Henry: Can I see them?

Mark: So, what was the cause of death? Pathologist: Typical ER thinking—got to be cause and effect. See, down here we operate on a slightly different gestalt. Sometimes there are answers, but many times, mystery. Mark: Not very satisfying. Pathologist: You think you're a scientist? You want explanations? Hard answers? Algorithms of care? That's dog crap. Medicine is an art, and art is ambiguous.

Mark: Denial is a funny thing; it keeps you from asking the tough questions. Susan: What questions are those? Mark: Am I dangerous? Should I be practicing medicine? Susan: And the answers are: no and yes, in that order. Mark: I hope so. I lost my family for this job.