Previously on ER: Abby was worried about everyone at work finding out she's dating Jake. Jake wasn't worried. Luka convinced Steve to leave Alex behind while he ran from the law. Carter couldn't tell Wendall he loved her, so Wendall bailed on him.
Jake and Abby lie in bed, entwined. Who can sleep like that? Jake has hairy arms, although they are also muscular, so that kind of makes up for it. A siren outside causes Abby to wake up, and she checks her clock, and then starts freaking out because she and Jake are going to be late for work. Jake is either not that awake yet, or not that worried. Abby yells at him for shutting the alarm off as she grabs clothes from her closet. Jake puts his shirt on, and Abby can't believe that he's going to wear the same clothes to work for two days in a row, as she explains that he's back in the ER now. In other words, people might know that Jake stayed over at Abby's place! The horror! Seriously, where has Abby worked for the past few years, because in the ER I know, that information has already traveled the gossip circuit and now falls under the category of "old news." And also, so what? Jake doesn't think this is a big deal either, and he grabs Abby and pulls her into his lap as he asks if people will think that he doesn't do laundry or sleeps in the park. Abby giggles as Jake kisses her cheek. Why does he like her, again?
At County, rounds are beginning, and Pratt is practicing his Spanish to ask where Abby is, since she's late. Dude, even I know how to say that in Spanish, and I've never taken a Spanish class in my life. So Pratt might want to step it up and put the big juicy doctor brain to work, is what I'm saying. Pratt claims he's learning Spanish to "relate to the community better," but Neela totally calls him when she walks by and asks, "Oh, yeah? What's her name?" Luka hands out a case of asthma going to the ICU and Pratt jumps up and takes it. Carter reminds him to teach the residents, not just do it himself. Luka prepares to leave, and Sam runs up and asks him to drop Alex at soccer after school. Luka tries to get out of it, saying that Alex is still pretty mad at him. Sam says it could be an icebreaker, but Luka thinks they should give it a little more time. Sam relents, and kisses Luka goodbye.
As Sam turns to walk off, Morris runs in and slams into her. She yells at him and he apologizes, sort of. He rushes up to Susan and reports that he's there to work on their manuscript revisions. Susan kind of blows him off, and Morris reminds her that the revisions are due at 5 PM. Carter, in the background, totally eavesdrops, like, nice how he doesn't want anyone all up in his business, but he's all up in everyone else's. Carter asks if they are publishing, and Morris explains thei topic, which I hear as "Medical Terminology I Don't Understand in Review." Susan tells Morris to go get started in the lounge, and that she'll join him. Carter can't believe Susan is working with Morris, and Susan tries to say that he's okay, but Carter laughs that Morris is the only one desperate enough to do the scutwork. Susan laughs and agrees. Neela asks Susan if she can run a trauma today. Susan wonders if Neela is ready, and Neela points out that, in a few months, she'll be an intern. The paramedics bring in a case, and Susan tells Neela to take it.
The paramedics report that the patient, Elena, passed out at the Immigration Building and has a lowered body temperature and heart rate. He adds that it was some kind of protest. Elena tells the doctors to call her lawyer, Benjamin Coe, and not to do anything until he arrives. Neela, Susan, and Sam wheel Elena into Trauma Green. Neela barks out some orders, including warm IV fluid. Elena says she doesn't want any treatment, because she's on a hunger strike to protest the deportation of her son. Sam tries to talk some sense into her, but Elena says she just wants the INS (which isn't what it's called anymore, but that's what they call it in the episode, so that's what I'm going with) to give her son a new hearing. Susan asks if she knows the risks of refusing care, which include going into a coma and dying. Elena says that she doesn't want to lose her son. But won't she lose her son if she dies? Susan sighs and tells them to cancel all the orders. Neela and Sam can't believe it, but Susan stands firm.
Jake and Abby descend the stairs from the El platform as Jake says again that no one will remember what he was wearing yesterday. They're still having this conversation? Jake pulls Abby out of the way just as a bundle of newspapers lands in a nearby mud puddle, splashing water everywhere. They run into a woman, Liza, who seems to know Jake. He introduces Liza, the night clerk on Surgery, to "Abby, [his] girlfriend." After Liza leaves, Abby asks if Jake really just called her his girlfriend, complaining that it's "junior high." Oh, get over it, Abby. You're not married, or engaged, so even if you feel too old for it, "girlfriend" is probably the most appropriate term. Jake asks what he should have said, and Abby says he could have just said her name, without the label. They narrowly avoid getting splashed again. Jake asks if she doesn't want people to know they're going out, and Abby tries to avoid the discussion by claiming that they're late. Jake stops her and says that this is important, but Abby wants to talk about it later. Abby is saved when an ambulance speeds by and thoroughly splashes them both, covering them with water and mud from head to toe. Jake pauses and says, "Yeah. Yeah, I guess it can wait."
Abby and Jake have changed into standard-issue scrubs, and Abby tells Jake that he looks ridiculous, because his pants are enormous. Jake says that they only had sizes small and extra large. Abby is so mean to him! I'm sure he feels self-conscious enough as it is. Chuny and Pratt rip on Jake as he walks in. Abby apologizes for being late. Shane West walks up and notes that Abby and Jake should wear matching outfits every day. Pratt smarms, "Victim of assault for Abby, and low blood sugar for your boy toy." Abby tries to tell him to cut it out. Frank comments, "It's rough when everyone knows you're an item." Jake suggests that he could call Abby his "item," which for some reason to me suggests "unit" and "package," although I don't think that's what he was going for.
Sam takes Elena's temperature and reports that it's 96.1 degrees. Susan offers Elena a warm blanket, which she accepts. She adds that she's thirsty, but when Neela offers her orange juice, she says that she can only have water. Benjamin Coe, Elena's lawyer, enters the room. He's played by Chip from Kate & Allie, and I'm pretending that he never played Vern's druggie creepy Neo-Nazi son on Oz, because the less said about that role, the better. Benjamin's young, and he works for Legal Aid. Benjamin asks how Elena is doing, and Susan spits that she's "malnourished and dehydrated, heading for a coma." Benjamin thinks this is good news, because it might finally get the INS to take action. Susan asks if Elena's son is an illegal alien, and Benjamin corrects her, "Undocumented immigrant." Sam is surprised to hear that they'll just send kids back without their parents. Benjamin explains that Elena has her green card, and that Elena's brother brought her son, Santiago, to the U.S. seven years ago. Susan asks how the INS got involved. Benjamin admits that Santiago was put in juvie for attempted robbery, and that as soon as his sentence was up, he was transferred to Immigration. Elena adds that her son won't last in El Salvador. Benjamin explains that the police there beat and kill gang members. Benjamin hands over the paperwork explaining Elena's wishes, which are basically that she refuses all care, even if she's unconscious. Sam asks if they can at least give her an IV, and Benjamin says very seriously, "That would be felony assault." Do you get the feeling this is Benjamin's first serious case, ever?
Carter looks over blueprints for the new center with Weaver and some other dude. Carter wants a commercial kitchen there, so that the children can eat hot meals. The dude promises to mention it to the architect. Weaver says that if Carter is done, they are ready to go to the contractors for a bid. The other dude says that he's thinking it'll cost about $150 million. Weaver says that Carter's donation will be a great start, and they're also looking for corporate donors and were hoping Carter would make some calls soliciting donations. Carter refuses. Weaver tries to explain why they need him, but Carter interrupts and says, "We weren't happy with the idea of corporate sponsorship, so we would be interested in covering the construction costs." Why is he speaking in the royal we? Unless he means "we" as in "The Carter Foundation" or whatever it's called. Kerry is shocked that Carter's willing to donate that much cabbage. Carter adds that he'd also cover an endowment to treat uninsured patients. Kerry and the other dude are shocked, and overjoyed. Carter says he'd like a naming opportunity, and the other dude asks if he has a suggestion. Carter has an idea, but needs to discuss it with family members first. I'm glad that Carter is finally putting his money where his mouth is; he's always complaining about how the hospital can't fund this or won't fund that, when he's been sitting on a giant pile of cash for years.
Abby treats an older lady (played by veteran actress Louise Fletcher) who claims that she was mugged and punched in the face. She's accompanied by her sister, and the two of them can't seem to get their stories straight about exactly what happened, and where. Chuny and Abby exchange a look like, "Are you buying this?" Abby asks if they filed a police report, and they did not, because they didn't see the point. Abby gets Chuny to get rid of the sister, Rebecca, so that she can talk to her patient, Birdie, alone. Abby asks some background questions, and finds out that Birdie and Rebecca have lived together for fifty years. Abby asks meaningfully, "Is there anything you want to tell me?" Birdie doesn't get it. Abby says that sometimes people are injured by friends or family members. Birdie insists that it was just some punk, and that she feels safe at home. Abby says she's going to order the x-rays, then.
Benjamin finds Susan at the desk, and says that he's waiting on a call from Elena's INS case worker, and that he wants Susan to talk to him or her. Susan wonders what she's supposed to say, and Benjamin advises her to reveal how sick Elena is. Morris takes this moment to come in and report on his progress, but Susan figures out that he left out some important data, so Morris takes off to revise. Abby finds out from Frank that Birdie and Rebecca are panhandlers, although Frank is actually sympathetic to their case, which is unusual for him. Wendall wanders in, and Abby says she has a consult. Susan bogarts the Wendall for her hunger-strike lady. Wendall is familiar with the case, having read about it in the paper. Frank comments that he can't believe Elena hasn't eaten in weeks, since he had "pancakes for breakfast and [he's] starving already." I hear that.
Weaver is giddy with Carter's donation news. She asks if he's thought about any future role in the outpatient center. Carter says he'll be on the board, and he might see a few patients. He says this last part like he's sure they would be begging him to share his doctor mojo with the masses, but no one was asking. Weaver gets to the point as she says that she hopes he agrees that they'll want someone with more experience as director, and Carter definitely agrees. Weaver says that she has four outstanding candidates. Carter already had someone in mind -- a guy who set up a network of clinics in Harlem. Weaver abruptly changes directions and asks why Carter's doing this. Carter says that the city needs it because the whole system is broken. Weaver points out that's nothing new, so why now? Carter hits his mark and prepares to give his big speech, which will probably be used in every "Previously On" segment from now until the end of the season: "Because for eleven years I've been here, patching up these people that fall through the cracks and it hasn't been enough. I want to do more." They're interrupted by Pratt and Shane West rolling through with a lady who fell down some stairs. Carter promises to join them in a minute, because he's just caught sight of Wendall standing nearby. Weaver tries to finish their conversation, but Carter's already gone. He sneaks up on Wendall and says hello before she can run away. But as soon as she realizes it's him, she totally runs away.
Pratt treats this woman, who fell down an entire flight of cement stairs after slipping while mopping. Ouch. She worries about being able to pay for her treatment. Shane stupidly says that her insurance will cover it, like, if she had insurance, would she be worrying about payment when she's probably in an incredible amount of pain? Chuny says she'll be covered by workers' comp, but the woman is a temp and thus isn't covered. Pratt promises that they'll still take care of her at County. Shane asks her to put her leg down, since it's bent at the knee, but she can't. So she decides she should just go home and rest. Pratt tells her that she has a collapsed lung, her hip is out of joint, and she may be bleeding internally. Yeah, I don't think bed rest is going to fix that. Pratt orders Jake to put in a chest tube, and Shane to pop her hip back into joint. The woman starts freaking out and trying to rip out all her various tubes, to the point where she has to be restrained. Pratt promises that she'll thank them later.
Wendall, Neela, Susan, and Benjamin have a little conference in the hallway. Wendall reports that Psych thinks that Elena is mentally able to make the decision to refuse nutrition, even if she's unconscious. Benjamin makes sure they are all in agreement, but before anyone can voice their opinions, Elena goes into a seizure. Benjamin rushes in to remind them not to do anything. Sam prepares to start an IV, as Benjamin protests, and points out that they revive suicidal patients, and that she doesn't see the difference. I would say the difference is the legal paperwork, but what do I know? This continues for a while with Benjamin and Wendall arguing against intervention, and Neela and Sam arguing for it, while Susan just stands there not saying anything. Susan finally agrees to give Elena oxygen because it's "a comfort measure," instead of a life-saving one. Sam asks how long the seizure could last, and Neela says that after thirty minutes, there's a high risk of brain damage. I feel the same way about watching this show sometimes. Elena bites her tongue, and blood runs from her mouth. Benjamin looks distressed and asks Wendall to check whether the INS has called. Neela walks up and injects Elena with Ativan. Susan yells at her, and Benjamin reminds her, "We have a legal document stating that she did not want to be treated for the consequences of her fast." Neela says that she saved Elena's life, and Susan calmly thanks her, and then tosses her off the case. Neela stomps out as Elena's seizure stops.
Shane is trying to put his patient's hip back into joint by applying brute force, as Carter and Pratt observe. Shane is not having so much luck. Carter suggests a technique that Shane doesn't know, so Pratt demonstrates. Before he can do it himself, he stops and has Shane take over. The sedative is wearing off, so Pratt issues quick instructions, and Shane pops the hip back into joint. Jake is having trouble inserting a chest tube, and then, to add insult to injury, his extra-large scrub pants fall down. And he can't pull them up, because he's wearing sterile gloves. He asks Pratt, Shane, and Chuny to help him out, but they all refuse. It should be noted that his shirt is long enough that you can't really see anything. Outside the room, Abby is on the phone requesting medical records for Birdie and Rebecca, but she trails off when she notices Jake's lack of pants. Carter walks out and asks if Abby has anyone to present. Abby thumbnails her case, but she's distracted by Chuny taking pictures of Naked Jake. Wendall walks up to follow up with Abby, but tries to bail when she realizes that Carter is there. Carter excuses himself instead, and Abby leads Wendall over to Birdie.
Elena has regained consciousness, and she asks Susan not to give her any more treatment. Susan wonders if Elena is doing this for the right reasons. Elena just wants to save her son. Sam asks what happens if Elena doesn't get a hearing, and Santiago has to live with his mother's death on his conscience. Elena explains that she came to America after her husband was killed in the war, and that she got tired of waiting for the papers to come through so that Santiago could join her, so she had her brother sneak him into the country. Sam says that Elena has done everything she could, and begs to be allowed to treat her. Elena just says that she's tired, and Susan says that they'll let her rest. Sam and Susan walk, like, two feet away for a secret conversation that Elena somehow can't hear. Sam can't believe that Elena has to go through with this. Susan says that she'd throw herself in front of a train for Cosmo. I notice that Sam doesn't share that sentiment. Maybe she would rather throw Alex in front of a train.
Some guy comes in, screaming Spanish at Frank, who desperately asks where Chuny is. Abby walks over and manages to understand that the guy's wife is in labor. Pratt totally didn't get that, even though the guy said mi esposa and trabajo, and again, I've never taken Spanish and I understood. Pratt and Abby run out to the guy's car and Pratt begins an examination. Abby asks if she should get a gurney, and Pratt says that she's crowning, so it's a little late for that. Pratt tries to tell her to push, but comes up with puta, and I hate to belabor the point, but seriously. The wife starts crying, and the husband gets all pissed off, and Pratt is confused as the husband starts trying to beat him up. As she calmly prepares to deliver the baby, Abby explains that Pratt just called the guy's wife a whore.
Susan and Benjamin walk down the hallway. Frank calls out and says that Chuck is on the phone, and Cosmo is sick, but that he doesn't have any further details. Benjamin is talking to INS on his cell phone, trying to get them to let Susan discuss Elena's deteriorating condition. Morris (Mr. Bad Timing) runs up and tries to get Susan to examine some charts he made, but Susan asks him one question which makes him realize that he's screwed up yet again. Susan takes the phone in the lounge to talk to Chuck. She quickly ascertains that Cosmo's illness isn't life-threatening, and hangs up. Benjamin hands Susan his cell phone, and she says simply that Elena is dying, and that they can give her son a new hearing, because she may not make it another day. Benjamin thanks her and leaves. Susan walks over to get some coffee, and finds Neela standing there. Neela makes the excuse that she gave Ativan, which doesn't have any calories. Susan asks if she would shock an end-stage cancer patient with a DNR. Neela says that she couldn't just watch Elena die, and Susan says that she should have left the room. Neela's final protest is that didn't seem right. Susan sighs deeply and says that it's not right, but that those are the rules.
Shane and Carter examine Stair Fall Lady's x-rays and determine that her hip is fine, and that her lung is expanding. Pratt walks up and shows them Stair Fall Lady's labs, which indicate that she may have cancer. It is not her day. Carter points out lesions on her ribs, and orders Shane to go back and find the primary tumor. Shane sighs that it sucks, because she's a nice lady. So only mean people should get cancer? Pratt agrees, "I hear that's a risk factor for cancer."
Abby tells Birdie that she's only got bruises, and no broken bones. Wendall points out that Birdie and Rebecca have been mugged several times in the past year, and Birdie says that it's an occupational hazard. I'm glad it's not an occupational hazard for recapping. Ours are something like carpal tunnel syndrome and the annoying habit of recapping every television show you watch in your head. Abby asks why they have to panhandle, and Rebecca wisecracks, "Because they aren't hiring at Hooter's." Abby says she's serious, and asks about Social Security. Birdie points out all their expenses, and Abby suggests having Adult Services make a home visit. Wendall says that they did last summer, and that the place was pretty messy, with no food in the cabinets. Birdie says that they like to eat out. Abby shakes her head and asks if there's anything they can do to help. Birdie says they do fine. Wendall says she'll request another home visit. Abby and Wendall are both clearly reluctant just to end things this way, but they've run out of suggestions, so Abby says she'll be back with their discharge instructions. Wendall and Abby leave, and Rebecca and Birdie just sort of pull faces for, like, ten minutes, which was weird.
Susan and Sam stand outside Elena's room and discuss how much the whole situation sucks. Shane walks up to get Susan's signature on a chart, and says that there has to be a better way for Elena. Susan says that she has no money or political influence, so this is it. Sam thinks Elena should get to see her son, since she's dying. Susan warms to the idea, saying that her son might be able to get her to eat. Sam takes off to make the call.
Shane and Pratt examine Stair Fall Lady, looking for the primary tumor. She can't believe that she has holes in her bones, and thinks that she should drink more milk. Pratt tells her that he needs to do a breast exam, because the bone lesions could have been caused by a tumor. The woman asks if he means cancer, and Pratt says it's possible. Pratt begins the exam and almost immediately gets a puzzled look on his face. He asks the patient if she's felt "this" before, and she nods. Shane asks if he found a mass, and Pratt says that it's about five centimeters, which is huge. Pratt asks when she first noticed it, and she says that it was a few years ago, and that she didn't see a doctor because she felt fine. Shane is upset, and says that she could have caught this before it spread. Pratt motions to him to chill out, and explains calmly that surgery might not be effective at this advanced stage. The woman says she doesn't want to be cut, and starts looking around for her clothes. Shane and Pratt move to restrain her as she yells that she doesn't want them to cut her. She concludes, "You don't cut into cancer. I know what happens. You cut into cancer, and it spreads. It spreads, and you die!" She sobs us into the commercial break.
Abby escorts Birdie and Rebecca outside. She reminds them of their aftercare instructions, and then calls them back and hands them some money, telling them to have a nice dinner tonight. Birdie kisses her hand and calls her sweet. Sam, who was standing nearby, asks Abby if she really gave them a twenty, and then jokes that it's no wonder Abby's patient-satisfaction scores are so high. Abby asks if Sam's waiting for an ambulance, and Sam says it's something like that. A van arrives, and some armed guards help Santiago get out. Santiago does not look much like an upstanding non-citizen, although the handcuffs and prison jumpsuit might be prejudicing me.
Neela, Chuny, Pratt, Shane, and Frank gather around a monitor and examine the photo Chuny took of Jake with his pants down so that they can debate what kind of underwear he wears. Um, Chuny was right there. Couldn't she have just looked? I would have. Shane suggests that Abby can settle the argument, and Abby reveals, "Actually, he goes commando." Boy, she sure has changed her mind on the "not letting people at work know" issue, hasn't she?
Susan and Sam lead Santiago to his mother's room. Santiago asks why they can't just make her eat, and Sam says that's why he's here. Santiago and his entourage of giant security guards enter the room. Susan tells Elena that Santiago is there to see her. Elena opens her eyes and moves to hug her son, but the guard intervenes and says that they can't have physical contact, because Santiago is still in custody. Oh, for crying out loud. Do they really think that his mother, who has been hospitalized for the last few hours, is going to slip him a weapon or drugs or something? And if so, can't they just do a search before taking Santiago back? Elena tells everyone in the room that she hasn't seen her son in six months. Santiago asks how long his mother will live, and Susan says it could be a few days. Santiago gets angry and tells them that they are doctors, and they are supposed to help her. He begs Elena to let the doctors help her. Elena could speak up at any time now and explain why they haven't helped her yet.
Shane and Pratt discuss how many people still believe the urban myth that surgery causes cancer to spread. Pratt explains that they don't get proper screening, so everyone Stair Fall Lady knows who has cancer was diagnosed late in the disease, and by the time many of them had surgery, it was too late. Thus, everyone in the neighborhood says that the patient was just fine until he or she had the surgery. They reach Stair Fall Lady's room, and she's still insisting that she doesn't want surgery. Pratt explains what a needle biopsy is, and she asks what happens after that. Pratt sits down and says that treatment depends on what kind of tumor it is, but that it could include radiation or chemotherapy. Stair Fall Lady insists that she doesn't want any of that. Shane asks if it's about money, because she qualifies for state aid if it's cancer. Stair Fall Lady says it's not that. Pratt tells her that a certain kind of tumor could mean that she would just take a pill once a day and survive for years. Stair Fall Lady fixes Pratt with a "Girl, please" kind of look, and asks if cancer in her bones can really be treated with a pill. Pratt says it's possible. Stair Fall Lady agrees to take a pill. Pratt thinks that means they can go ahead with the biopsy, but Stair Fall Lady doesn't want a needle or surgery. Pratt says that they just want to help her. Stair Fall Lady asks who's going to take her to the doctor, or help her when she's vomiting or too weak to get up the stairs. Pratt has no answers.
Santiago starts yelling at the doctors to give his mother a sandwich or something. Sam says that she wouldn't eat it even if they did. Santiago suggests that they force it down her throat, and then yells at his mother that he doesn't need her help and he can take care of himself. The security guards step in and ask where they can stash Santiago, and Sam directs them to the family room until they can bring the van around. As Santiago is hustled out the door, he yells that his mother has messed up everything, and that she should have just left him in El Salvador. Man, talk about your ungrateful kids. Although it is kind of drama queeny to go on a hunger strike and all, like, she could hold that over his head for the rest of his life. "You forgot to buy me a Mother's Day card? After all I've done for you? Remember when I almost died of dehydration in the hospital, and you couldn't spend a dollar at the Hallmark store?" That would be annoying.
Susan follows Santiago out into the hall and yells to ask what his problem is. Santiago says he never asked his mother to do this for him, and Susan pulls him aside (along with his entourage). She says that maybe they should force-feed Elena, because Santiago's being deported seems like a good idea right now. Santiago pulls the old "I don't care, whatever" routine, and Susan asks him if he wants to die. Santiago says that he had a good life in El Salvador. Susan says that she just wanted Elena and Santiago to be together. Santiago says that she worked two jobs, and that he hardly knows her. Susan tries to play the trump card: "She wanted a better life for you." Santiago holds up his handcuffed wrists and asks if she thinks it worked out. Susan tries to overtrump her trump card: "She loves you." Santiago responds, "She isn't doing this for me. She's doing this because she feels guilty. Just let her go if that's what she wants." Susan tells him that he doesn't mean that, but Santiago clarifies, "Just let her die." The guards lead him out as Susan runs her hands through her hair in frustration.
Carter finds Wendall doing paperwork in an exam room, like, could she have made it more clear that she's not interested in talking to you, dude? Carter asks if she wants to grab some lunch. I'm going to guess she doesn't. He asks if she wants to get dinner, and she begs off. Carter finally says what he came to say, which is that he feels bad about what happened, and that he's sorry. Wendall finally smiles a little bit and says that she wishes she'd been able to figure out what Carter was thinking. They share a nice moment, and then Wendall gathers her things to go see a patient. Carter says that she left some things at his place, and offers to bring them by sometime. Or you could just bring them to the hospital, Stalker Boy. Wendall says she'll just stop by his place, and asks him to leave them in a bag on his front step. Carter is disappointed by the impersonal nature of the exchange, but accepts that it's what Wendall wants. Finally!
The head of Santiago's security team asks Susan if Elena will eat now. Susan says that she probably won't. Security Head says that it's too bad, because Elena will die and Santiago will still get deported. Susan asks about the possibility of a hearing. Security Head says that he doesn't think it would change anything, but that he'll talk to his boss. He leaves, and Sam comes up and tells Sam that Elena is unresponsive. Frank says that he checked the internet and found out that people can survive forty-five days without food or water, and Elena's been going for forty-one.
As Susan heads to check on Elena, Morris corners her, wanting to talk about their project. Susan says that she can't deal with it right now, but Morris won't give up, since they only have an hour to their deadline. Susan tries to blow him off, but Morris gets her attention and says very sincerely that he needs this publication for his Chief Resident application. Susan snorts and says that it's going to take a hell of a lot more than that. Morris makes a face like, "Guh?"
Carter checks up on Stair Fall Lady (who is now also Untreated Breast Cancer Lady). He exits the exam room and tells Pratt to send her home and have a visiting nurse drop in on her. Pratt can't believe they're just going to release her, and Carter says that they can't force her to do anything, but maybe after being home for a few days, she'll change her mind. Pratt says that if she goes home, she'll never come back. Carter reminds Pratt that they have to respect her wishes, because she doesn't feel comfortable with the medical system.
Oh, no. I had somehow forgotten about this scene. The squeamish are going to want to skip right onto the paragraph. Jake and Abby examine Sam from American Dreams. Apparently, he has a thyroid condition, which can cause glaucoma, so Jake is going to test Sam's eye pressure or something. Jake gives Sam an eye drop, and then prepares to touch his eyeball with some sort of giant Q-tip or something. As Jake is touching, Chuny walks in and interrupts, which I think makes Jake poke a little too hard, which causes Sam to start coughing, which causes HIS EYEBALL TO POP OUT OF ITS SOCKET! Sam is like, "Did my eyeball come out?" which is a question I hope to never have to ask or answer. Abby remains calm throughout, even though monitors are beeping and eyeballs are dangling. Sam is thrashing all around, which can't be helping matters any, and Chuny runs off to find Luka. Oh, dear God. It's like the writers were saving that one up until Heathen stopped recapping.
Neela checks out an x-ray and asks Sam if Benjamin is still around. Sam says that he's actually a law student, and that he had to go to class. Sam tells Neela that if the seizure had gone on five more minutes, she'd have administered the Ativan herself. Remember when Sam hated Neela? That all seems so long ago. Shane comes in and says that Elena is asking for Sam, so Sam takes off.
Sam and Neela head into Trauma Green, where Elena keeps saying, "The bathroom. The bathroom." I guess she has to go to the bathroom. Sam notes a banana bag on an IV stand and asks where it came from. Neela doesn't know. Susan walks in and asks what's going on, and Sam reports that Elena is awake...with an IV. Elena realizes that she has an IV in her arm, and becomes agitated. Neela starts to make an excuse, and Susan quickly asks Neela and Sam to step outside so that she can talk to Elena alone. They leave, and Susan tells Elena that it's okay. Outside, Sam says admiringly, "Wow. Who knew Lewis could start an IV all by herself?" Which is a pretty clumsy line, but given Linda Cardellini's admiring delivery, I think it was just supposed to be a clunky way to let us know that Susan did it.
Luka tells Pratt that they'll run the board as soon as he helps Abby. Pratt says that he has to run up to Oncology first. Oh, poor Sam. How long has he had to sit there with his eyeball hanging out like that? I hope they gave him a LOT of morphine. I think I need a lot of morphine just to watch this scene again. Abby reports that whatever she's trying isn't working. Luka says they need some sort of fancy retractor, and Abby says they don't have one. Luka asks for a paper clip as Abby uses her FINGER to keep Sam's EYEBALL from FALLING OUT AND ROLLING DOWN THE HALL! Jake produces a paperclip, and you'd think they would at least want to run it under a lighter's flame like my mom used to do with a needle before she dug out a splinter in my foot, but Luka just unbends it with his ungloved hand and gives it to Abby. Sam is like, "Don't you have an eye specialist here or something?" and I concur. Instead, Abby takes the paperclip and follows Luka's instructions to, I don't know, jimmy the eyeball back into place and I'm just about over this scene so I hope you don't mind if I gloss over the rest so I can UNPAUSE my recording which right now features A DUDE WITH HIS EYEBALL HANGING OUT. Even Abby is kind of grossed out as Jake talks Sam through it in a calm voice and finally Sam's eyeball is back where it belongs. Whew.
Susan removes Elena's oxygen as Elena asks if she's the one who started the IV. Susan says that it's just one bag, and then it'll be up to Elena whether or not she continues treatment. Elena says that she thought it was up to her already. Susan doesn't answer the question, and says that Elena is getting a lot of media attention, and that the INS is taking Elena's case very seriously because they don't want the bad press. Elena is silent. Susan says that Elena has done everything she can, and that it's okay to eat now. Elena says, "Not until they let him stay. He wasn't always like this. He was a good boy. He did a stupid thing, and then in jail, he joined the gang. You try so hard, but you never know how they'll turn out. All he has now is anger and hate." Sam asks why Elena wants to keep going, and Elena says that Santiago's still her son, even if he doesn't care about her. Susan thinks Santiago does care, but doesn't know how to show it. Susan lies, "The last thing he said to me on his way out was, 'Please don't let her die.'" Elena looks hopeful.
Stair Fall Lady asks Shane when the ambulance is coming to take her home, and Shane says it'll be about an hour. Pratt walks in and says that he wants her to meet someone before she leaves. Stair Fall Lady doesn't want to talk to any surgeons, and Pratt promises that she's not a doctor. He introduces May. Stair Fall Lady thinks that May must be a social worker or a psychologist, but May is neither; she's a secretary and a breast cancer survivor. May says it's been three years. Pratt and Shane leave to let May talk. Outside, Pratt tells Shane that there's a cancer support group in the hospital, and that they help each other navigate the system. Shane asks if Pratt thinks it'll work, and Pratt says that Stair Fall Lady might listen.
Wendall knocks on Carter's door, but he's already outside. He says hello. Wendall thought he was going to leave her stuff outside, but Carter got stuck at the hospital. Carter walks inside and invites Wendall in. She'd rather wait outside, so Carter disappears to get her things. The phone rings, and Wendall asks if he needs to get it. Carter says that the machine will pick it up, and invites Wendall inside again for coffee. Wendall refuses yet again, like, when will Carter give it up? Wendall says goodnight, and leaves.
Abby and Jake walk outside and talk about how they made a good time on the eyeball case. Jake jokes that maybe he should call Abby his teammate, and I have this whole theory about how marriage is all about being on the same team, but I won't bore you with the details. Jake tries out "partner," and Abby suggests "special friend." Jake asks what she's afraid that people will think. Abby pauses and says that she doesn't want them to go too fast. Jake tells her that she has two weeks to decide all of this, because in two weeks he has a big family thing, which involves church and brunch, because his niece is getting baptized and he's the godfather. Abby asks what her role will be in all this, and Jake says that she gets to decide.
Carter checks his messages, and there's one from Kem. She says she'll be around for about an hour. Carter checks his watch and dials the phone. He has her on speed dial, in case that's a sign of something. Carter sits down in the kitchen and settles in for a chat. He tells her about the plans for the center, and asks how she would feel about "The Joshua Carter Center," after the baby they lost. We don't hear Kem's answer.
Susan and Sam wheel in some food for Elena, as Susan explains that she should only drink clear liquids and broth for the first few days. Elena says she swore she wouldn't stop until her son was safe. She says a quick prayer in Spanish and then in English. The phone rings, and Sam picks it up. She reports that it's Chuck for Susan. With a shaking hand, Elena takes a spoonful of Jell-O and cries as she eats it. In the hallway, Susan talks to Cosmo. While it may seem unrealistic that Susan is having a phone conversation with her infant son, I guess he could just be saying words to her and she's responding. Susan starts reciting a Sandra Boynton book as the hospital continues to go about its business. Stair Fall Lady is wheeled up to treatment, accompanied by May. Elena continues eating.