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Favorite Scenes   November 4, 1993 Zach has accused Todd of being a fake. T: (crumbles up letter) I’m not up to anything. This letter was just a warning to our ex-lawyer. Z: Warning? Todd, come on, man, that letter was a threat! T: Yeah, well that’s what she is to us. A threat to our freedom, a threat to our future. She was here again, Zach, visiting her pet poodle Powell Lord the third. Z: Oh, do I detect a little hostility, brother Manning? T: What, me, hostile? Why? Just because she blew our case, got us send to prison? Just because she went out of her way to get Powell Lord off with a light sentence while we’re stuck in this, what, me, hostile? Todd vows to get out there and settle the score with Nora and Marty. Zach tells him to just be cool and he’ll get out in a couple of years. T: Powell! How was your visit with Nora? Was it nice? P: Like you care. T: Oh, but I do, Powell, I care about both of you. More than you know.   At the university. Sheila: Oh, Nora, how are you? N: Oh, I’m fine, really. Just fine. S: Have you made a decision about the surgery? N: Sheila, I don’t want to discuss it, all right, I really don’t. S: Listen, Rachel will never hear it from me, and neither will anyone else, but I am part of the team at the hospital, and it’s my job to look out for every patient’s best interest. N: I understand. To answer your question, I’ve decided not to have the surgery. S: Nora! N: No, I have weighed all the risks very carefully, and that is my choice. S: No one says an operation wouldn’t be without risks, but if you do not have this surgery... N: Oh, believe me, trust me, your brother Ben has explained it all in vivid detail. My eyesight will most likely degenerate over a period of time, but that could be years, Sheila. S: Or months. Or weeks. And if the tumor is malignant... N: I understand what can happen! Your brother Ben is nothing if not blunt. But I would like to live my life the way I choose to live my life, not risking a moment of it. S: I’m sorry, Nora, I mean, that’s what you’re doing. You’re risking your present and your future. Look, I am your friend, and I want my friend to find the courage to change her mind. N: Thank you, but my decision is final. And now I’m going to go concentrate on helping the people I care about, like Sloan. S: You know, it’ll be tough being a lawyer if you cannot read any more, or if you’re dead. R: Well, there you are, come on, you two are already late. N: (hugs Rachel) Oh, Rachel. R: Mom, what’s wrong? Mom! N: I’ll tell you what’s wrong, the party started without me, and I can’t even have any ice cream. Show your mother where the calories are.   Viki is talking to Nora about Sloan’s case. V: So what we have to do is come up with some kind of proof that we can give to you, the brilliant lawyer, that you can use in his defense. N: Uh, Viki, I’m afraid if I was a brilliant lawyer, we would have won by now. S: I consider myself lucky to have you. N: Thank you very much, I’ll do my best. R: Oh, no, no, no, no, no, you don’t. You are supposed to be eating healthy from now on. N: You’re right, for a moment I forgot about my silly little problem. R: Mom, hypoglycemia is serious business, and you are my only mother. N: Well, you’re right. From now on, I eat healthy or nothing. R: Good. (leaves) S: You got to tell her the truth, Nora. N: I’m not ready, all right? S: And when will that be? The same time you’re ready to tell Bo? Or maybe you’re waiting for your condition to become so severe that your sight begins to fail... N: I know I have to tell them. I know that, okay? But there are some things that I don’t know, things that you and your doctors can’t explain, like how do I find the words to tell them? Like how do I find the words to tell the people I care about that I’m going to lose them? (looks over at Rachel) N: Well, we’ll find this mystery woman, whoever she is. V: Nora, I am so grateful that Sloan has someone with so much courage and integrity as you have on his side. N: Well, I better get busy! Excuse me. S: Sure. N: Kevin, can you spare my daughter for a minute, please? K: Okay, but only for a minute. N: Okay! R: What is it? N: I want to talk to you, honey, come on, it’s important, come on, come on. R: Play hooky? N: Yes, come on, if I can take the whole day off of work, you can skip a couple of classes. We’ll spend the whole say together. R: I would love to spend the day with you, but let’s just wait... N: It can’t wait, it can’t, I don’t want it to wait, sweetheart. I mean, have you seen the day out there? It’s the most gorgeous fall day, the sky is this incredible shade of blue, and the trees, they still have some leaves on them, oranges and reds and yellows, and they’re just, haven’t you noticed these things? Haven’t you noticed? Rachel, you have to start noticing these things, don’t you understand that? You have to notice them before they go away, because once they go, they never ever come back. R: Mom, what is it? Come on, what’s wrong? This is about what’s wrong with you, isn’t it? It’s more that just hypoglycemia. There’s something you’re not telling me. N: Rachel... R: Mom, please. Please. Whatever it is, tell me.   November 5, 1993 The last scene is repeated. N: It’s nothing, sweetheart. Really, it’s nothing. R: Mom, please. I know when you’re yourself, and I know when you’re not. Now, something is upsetting you, something you can’t tell me. Why? Nora remembers Sheila telling her to tell them. R: Is this about your illness? N: It’s the medication that I’ve been on, that’s what it is. R: For what? N: For my hypoglycemia, what else? You know me, you know how I get like that, you know, I react to any kind of new thing that’s introduced into my system, you know. R: But you look so sad! N: Well, some people break out in hives, I get emotional, you know? Give your mom a break, will you? R: Okay, okay. Come on, let’s take that trip to the country, okay? N: Okay! R: You know what, my Friday lab can wait until Monday. N: Monday? Friday. Oh, no, I can’t go, today’s Friday, I can’t go, I have an appointment today. R: Well, you were just saying... N: An appointment that I can’t even break. R: Well, you were just saying let’s play hooky. N: Well, I know, sweetheart, I know, but we have to play hooky another day, I cannot break this appointment, I really can’t. Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry I worried you, really, your mom’s fine, okay? Another day, okay? (kisses her on the cheek- Rachel is perplexed) K: Rachel, what’s wrong? R: I don’t know, that’s the problem.   Nora is in Ben’s office. Ben: Nora, I wish I could make you understand. N: Oh, no, you’ve been very clear, I understand the risks very well, I just want to live out the time I have left with the people I love. Ben: But you could have a lifetime with them. N: Or I could wake up in recovery blind for the rest of my life and be a burden to everyone. Ben: Nora, if the tumor keeps growing and we don’t operate, blindness will be inevitable. N: Slowly, you said slowly. Ben: Maybe slowly. I also said if the tumor is malignant... N: Yes, I know what that means. Let me just ask the question that I came here to ask, okay? How much time do I have? Ben: No one can predict how fast the tumor will grow. Your eyesight could become seriously impaired at any time, a week, a month... N: A year from now? Ben: It’s possible. Even more, but... N: Well, that’s all I came to know. Thank you. I have a year to live a normal life. Ben: How can it be normal knowing you can go blind at any moment? Nora, there are risks with the surgery, but we’ll have a world-class surgeon performing the removal. We can minimize any chance of blindness, we can get the tumor out before it causes any more damage, maybe even kills you. You’re an intelligent woman, Nora. Why don’t you see the logic of this? N: What I see is a woman waking up from recovery blind, and I see her daughter, and I see the man that she loves saddled with her for the rest of her life. Ben: If that’s what you see, then you’re already blind. Your family loves you no matter what happens. Tell them what the choices are, let them help you decide. N: Dr. Price, you promised. Not a word to Bo and Rachel. Ben: I give up. You don’t need a neurosurgeon, you need a psychiatrist. N: Well, that may be true, but I want to live out the life that I have left my way, okay? Thank you, doctor. Ben: Don’t thank me. If I can’t change your mind about this, I’ve failed. N: Well, don’t take it personally. Ben: But I do. I take every death, every wasted life very personally. There’s still time to reconsider, but don’t wait too long.   Nora leaves. Rachel walks in his office. R: Tell me the truth, Dr. Price. What’s wrong with my mother? Ben: If you could make an appointment, Miss Gannon, right now I have several patients to see. R: Dr. Price, please, I followed my mother here to your office, now I know she’s hiding something from me. Ben: I’m sorry. R: Just tell me. She doesn’t have hypoglycemia, does she? Ben: I’m sure you know I can’t discuss your mother’s case with anyone, including her daughter. R: Look, I don’t want to invade her privacy, I just want to help her. See, my mother has this strange code of honor, she’d rather suffer in silence then let anybody worry about her. But I’m worried. Now, will you please let me know what’s wrong? Ben: Look, your mother’s way of dealing with her family and friends isn’t my concern. R: But what about her health, her emotional health, her physical health, do you care about that? Ben: We have these things called ethics, Miss Gannon. I can’t bend the rules just for you. R: No, I guess you can’t. I bet you were the top of your class, Dr. Price, but take it from me. Your bedside manner sucks. (leaves)   Nora is with Bo at their house. He is showing her travel brochures. N: The Galapagos Islands? B: Yeah. That’s where they have those huge tortoises. There’s even more than that, there’s the most incredible wildlife just everywhere. I’ve always wanted to see these, and, now we will. N: Well, Bo, I don’t think you should go planning this. B: It’s already planned, no, I put the deposit down for next summer, see? These things you have to plan in advance. Honey, can’t you just see us? You know, exploring around, our own private guide. Just being able to see the last incredible wonders of nature before they’re gone for good. N: It sounds...so far away. B: Well, then let’s just forget about Galapagos, how about Philadelphia, huh? N: No, no, I like the first choice better. It’s just…let’s go today. B: Some things are worth waiting for. (kiss) Look, you look through these and see if there’s any extras that you want to add on, okay, because I got a date with a rake and some leaves out on the front lawn. (leaves)   Nora looks at the pamphlets and her vision fades out and back in. N: Oh, please. Please don’t go out on me now.   R: Mom, it is a simple question. Why would you go to a neurosurgeon for hypoglycemia? N: And I’ve got one for you. Why would a daughter follow her mother around like a spy? R: Because her mother is hiding something from her. N: Oh, Rachel, there’s no mystery about this, for goodness sake. I went to go see Dr. Price because he was the doctor on call the night I collapsed, you know. I went to go see him as a follow up, it’s strictly routine. R: You’re still having headaches, aren’t you? Are those routine, too? N: There is nothing wrong with me that a little mild medication and a lot of understanding from my daughter won’t cure, how many times do I have to say this to make you understand it, all right? Let’s just, let’s just leave it at that. (she goes to set down a glass of water and her vision fades out) R: Mom? N: I am all right. I’m all right. (she tries to put it down and misses the table) R: It’s your eyes, isn’t it? Come on, it’s your eyesight, isn’t it? Isn’t it? November 8, 1993 R: You’re still having headaches, aren’t you? Or is that routine, too? N: How many times do I have to say this before you believe me? There is nothing wrong with me that a little mild medication and a lot of understanding from my daughter won’t cure, now can we please just leave it at that. (tries to put down glass and vision fades) R: Mom? N: I’m all right. I’m all right. (misses the table) R: Mom? Wait, it’s your eyesight, isn’t it? You couldn’t see the table, will you tell me what’s going on? N: It’s too soon. This can’t be happening, it’s too soon. N: Oh, I’m such a klutz! You know, when the weather gets cold, I lose the circulation in my fingers and I drop things. (pause) I should clean it up. R: Wait, wait, forget about the glass. Now stop pretending everything’s okay and just tell me what’s going on. N: Rachel, I told you, honey, everything’s… R: Mom, please, I am your daughter. Don’t shut me out. N: All right. I just didn’t want to upset you, honey, that’s all. I have, um, a small, very small growth, it’s called a meningioma, all right, and if I had more brains in my head, there wouldn’t be room for it, but, anyway, it’s there, oh, no, no, no, it’s what’s been causing my headaches and affecting my sight, and, no, no, no, no, no, this is nothing scary, okay? It’s really, it’s nothing, okay? With treatment. R: Please, just tell me what it means. N: It means I have a brain tumor. R: Okay, okay. Okay. Now, now that we know what you have, what are you going to do to get rid of it? N: Oh, nothing. R: You’re not serious? You have a brain tumor and you’re not going to do anything to get rid of it? N: This is my life, Rachel. R: Mom, it’s your death. Now, how could you possibly… N: Shh, shh. That is Bo, all right? R: Good, maybe he can some sense into you. N: No, no. Not a word to Bo, I mean it. B: Get the football, it is gorgeous out there. Rachel, call Kev, tell him to come over for a little two on two touch football. (N laughs- he sees the broken glass) What happened? N: Oh, we had a little accident. B: We? R: Bo… N: Okay, I confess, it was me. You know, clumsy old roommate strikes again. B: Oh, my beautiful, clumsy roommate, go get your jeans on, okay? We can take these guys, we’ll be Notre Dame… N: Gipper. We have other plans for lunch, remember? B: Oh, that’s right. We’re taking the dean’s list student to lunch today. I’m sorry, Rachel, let me just get showered and changed, but before I take off, (mock whispers) I’ve got a surprise for your mother. N: You do? B: You’re not supposed... (she laughs- he leaves) N: Do you see how happy he is? Do you want me to ruin all of that? R: You have to tell him. Mom, he loves you, he deserves to know. N: No, he deserves happiness, he deserves some joy in his life. He’s been through so much, and just losing Sarah, and months and months of depression. He’s finally come out of that. R: Because of you. You helped him live, now why won’t you let him do that for you? N: Sweetheart, because he can’t. No one can. R: Are you saying that the tumor is inoperable? N: I’m saying that I’m choosing not to have it operated on. R: What’s to choose? If the doctors can remove it… N: It is a very high risk surgery, sweetheart. The surgery itself can cause permanent blindness instantly. There are other complications that could render me helpless, a burden to Bo, to you, to everyone else. R: And if you don’t have the surgery? N: We will have lots and lots and lots of time together. R: Mom, what does that mean? I mean, will your condition just get worse and worse, and what about the tumor, is it benign, is it... N: Well, they don’t know that yet, but, you know, aren’t most tumors benign anyway? It will grow very slowly, you know, there’s a chance that it may not progress at all. That’s a chance I’m willing to take. R: For God’s sake, Mom, this decision isn’t just up to you. What about Bo, and me, Grandma, Grandpa, everyone that cares about you… N: I know what I’m doing, Rachel. R: Oh, come on. Your eyesight isn’t failing in the future, it’s failing now. N: It’s not as serious as all that. R: Mom, you say that you want Bo to be happy, but you’re willing to let yourself go blind. You say you don’t want to be a burden, but you’re willing to die without even lifting a finger to stop it? Now don’t talk to me about how loving and how brave you are. All I see is a woman that’s too selfish, too scared to even fight for her own life. N: Rachel, sweetheart, please try to understand… R: Why you’re slowly killing yourself? N: The tumor may be benign, you know, I could live for a very long time with it growing very slowly, not progressing… R: Or, or you could go blind or die in a week or a month! N: This surgery is very, very risky. Even if I survived the operation, there are complications. I wouldn’t be myself. Do you want me to live like that, I don’t want to live like that! R: Mom, I want you, alive. N: Regardless of my condition? R: Look, I know how much you hate to ask for help, you would rather die alone than live with someone’s sympathy, but… N: You’re right! I would! Please, let me play this out my way. R: What, the coward’s way? What about the way you raised me, whatever happened to fight when it’s right? What happened to never be afraid? N: Don’t quote me! I hate quotes! R: Look, when I was growing up, I hated, I hated when you would never compromise when you believed in something. I guess I felt like I could never live up to Nora Gannon. And then I saw you in court for the first time, and mom, you were, you were fearless. And I thought, that’s my mom. (crying) That’s the woman that kissed my knee when I scraped it, that’s the woman that would always be there for me, to protect me, love me. N: (crying) Oh, baby. R: Oh, mommy, please, please don’t make it all a lie. Please don’t do this, don’t do this to me. N: Oh, baby. My beautiful baby.(they are hugging) B: Each one of you ladies grab an arm and let’s blow this joint. (sees that they are crying) Nora… R: You know, I’ve got my own car, so why don’t I just meet you at the Palace, okay? Goodbye. B: Okay. (she leaves) What is that all about? N: Oh, nothing, really. B: No, look, I saw her eyes before, she’s crying now, and now you’re crying. Don’t tell me it’s just nothing. N: Oh, it’s supposed to be confidential, you know. She’s having a little problem with Kevin and I started to identify, and the next thing you know, we both are crying and it’s pretty dumb stuff, isn’t it? (hugs him) B: No, no. I like a woman who can identify with her daughter. I like you. (they laugh) N: And I like you. (kiss) Do you like me even when I do that toothpaste thing, and then when I use your hairbrush… B: Are you kidding me? When we’re hairless and toothless, you’ll still be the sexiest octogenarian in the world. N: Let’s not talk about then, let’s not talk about when we get old. I like things just the way they are, right here and right now. B: Oh, yeah! Sure, me too, they’re great right now, but they’re going to get even better the older we get. See, come on, honey, that’s the way things are supposed to happen. If you live long enough, almost anything can happen. Even this. (produces envelope) N: What is this, is this the surprise you were talking about? B: Yep, go ahead, open it up. Read it. N: (opens it- but she can’t see it because her vision dims) B: Come on, Nora, read it out loud, will you? N: Well, talk about your surprises. B: Well, what is it? I mean, what does it say? Did you read the whole thing? N: Of course, you read it. Read it out loud, it’s going to make the whole thing that much more special. Come on. B: Well, if that’s the way you want it. N: Of course that’s the way I want it. B: (reading) Dear Ms. Gannon, On behalf of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, this will inform you that your period of censure has officially ended. (to her) Isn’t that great news? Honey, I know how much your practice means to you, and now there are no more restrictions. N: Right. B: I still think this whole censure thing, though, was just totally wrong. You know, what you did in that courtroom, for that rape case, you had guts, real guts. But of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from my favorite lawyer. Come on, let’s break the news to Rachel. You know, she’s going to be as proud of you as I am.   Nora arrives at the Palace and meets Rachel. R: Have you talked to Bo, what did he say? N: Listen to me, Bo’s parking the car, now, I just wanted you to know… R: I know all that I need to know, you have to tell him! N: Listen, no, I have to finish what I have to say before Bo comes back. Now, I have listened to everything you had to say, all right, I’ve thought about it, the right choice about surgery… R: There’s only one choice. N: Yes, I realize that now, all right? And I’ve done it. I’ve come to a decision.   November 9, 1993 Todd is looking at Nora’s engagement announcement. T: Oh, Nora. You look so happy there. Things really worked out for you, didn’t they? I’ll have to think of a special wedding present for you. But what do you give the woman who has everything? (crumples the announcement)   N: I have to say this quickly before Bo comes back. I have listened to you, I’ve thought about it, the right choice about surgery… R: There’s only one choice. N: I understand that, I realize that, and I’ve done it, I’ve come to a decision. I know it’s risky, but I’m going to go ahead and have the surgery. R: Mom! (hugs her) N: It may not bring my sight back, it may not even save my life,but, if there’s a chance… R: Oh, you have to take it! Oh, God, I’m so relieved. B: Relieved about what? N: Well, of course she’s relieved! Remember that little problem I told you that she was having with Kevin, you know, it’s all, poof!, it’s all gone, you know. So everything’s peachy now, isn’t that right? B: That’s great news, Rachel. Look, I knew that nephew of mine was going to come around, I knew it. So, what was the problem, anyway? R: Uh, Bo… N: Oh, it’s private matters, sweetheart, she didn’t even tell her own mother. B: Oh, okay! Well, okay, okay, I understand that, but if it ever happens again, you call me, all right, and I’ll knock some sense into that young Kevin’s head, because I want you two to be as happy as we are. Bob: Excuse me, Mr. Buchanan, I hate to bother you. B: Yeah, Bob, what is it? Bob: We have a slight glitch at the radio station. B: A slight glitch? Ah. Why is it every time a sound engineer says that to me, a slight glitch is really a major problem? Bob: Five minutes, I promise, I just need to get your approval. B: Okay, four and a half tops, all right? Excuse me, ladies… N: No, no. Four minutes. B: You got it, all right? And then, we can celebrate. (leaves) R: Why didn’t you tell him? N: It wasn’t the right time. R: Well, when is it going to be the right time, before, after, or during the operation? N: I am not going to keep this from him forever. R: Why didn’t you tell him now? He loves you, what, do you think he’s going to love you less because you’re ill, or… N: I just don’t want to put him through any more hurt. R: Mom, you can’t spare him any more than you can spare me. Now, Bo’s entitled to know what’s wrong and what you’ve decided. N: Rachel…you’re right. I’m just thinking of me, I’m being very selfish, aren’t I? R: No, you’re just being normal. You’d be crazy if this didn’t scare you. N: Well, I must admit, I am a little shaky, but you’re right. I will tell Bo. R: When? N: Soon. Today. R: Bo, Mom, you celebrate for me, okay? If I’m going to stay on that dean’s list, I’ve got a paper to finish. B: Rachel, I’m sure that paper can wait just a little while. R: No, no, when something has to be done, it has to be done. My mother taught me that. So, I’m going to be upstairs, and (to Nora) you come and see me afterwards, okay? B: Don’t work too hard. R: Nope. (leaves) B: Just like her mother. Motivated, driven to be all that she can be. Are you okay? N: What? Oh, I’m sorry, no, I was just thinking, I was wishing she was going to join us. B: I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m glad it’s just the two of us. (to waiter) Excuse me, there were three of us and we were going to sit at this table over here, but now there are only two of us, so can we sit at that table near the fireplace? W: Of course, Mr. Buchanan. B: And can you bring me a bottle of my usual champagne? W: Sure. B: Great, thank you. N: Oh, no, Bo, I have to go to work… B: Hey, you heard your daughter, you heard her. We owe it to her, it’s our duty to celebrate for her… N: About this celebration… B: …and I think we should applaud these kids, but I also think that we should do something special for ourselves. Think about it, Rachel wouldn’t be able to do it without her mother’s guidance and her support, isn’t that right? N: Bo, can I please try and tell you… W: (bringing champagne) Shall I do the honors, Mr. Buchanan? B: Yes, yes, would you please. Okay, here’s my idea. We give ourselves a special Christmas gift. On December 26, we jump in a plane and we fly to the very tip-top of Utah, and we start skiing that deep powder. (to waiter) Oh, here, I’ll take that. Thanks a lot. (to Nora) What do you think of that suggestion? Can you imagine the mountain lodge, a roaring fire in the fireplace, skiing those Black Diamonds during the day, and then spending long, long, nights under a goose down comforter… N: Stop it. Just stop it. There’s something I have to tell you. It’s very important that you know. B: Whatever it is sounds very serious. Nora, honey, I think the best way to say this, is, just go ahead and just say it. Okay, okay. I’m here, so, whenever you’re ready, you can… N: Well, now I’m just completely embarrassed and feel ridiculous, but… B: But what? N: Well, I…for a moment, I just, I felt this overwhelming need to tell you…how much I love you, and how important you are to me, and how I want to spend the rest of my life with you. B: And that’s it? That’s, that was the important thing that you had to tell me? N: That’s pretty important to me, mister, you know. It’s pretty important to me. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Bo Buchanan. B: You see, this is why we get along so well, red. Because you totally understand my true value. (she laughs) N: It’s your modesty that I just, I love the most. B: Yeah, even when I’m talking so much that you can’t even interrupt for two seconds to tell me that you me? N: You got it. B: Well, this mutual admiration, it goes two ways. I know you appreciate me, I definitely appreciate you. I’m the lucky one here, I am, and I’ll never forget that. Mr. Lucky, that’s me. So it’s just nothing but blue skies, and life’s a bowl of cherries on the sunny side of the street, that’s the way it’s going to be, from this moment on, for us, kid. Isn’t that right?   Nora goes up to her suite. R: Mom… N: Oh, hi, honey, we had a wonderful lunch and I’m so sorry you’re weren’t there to join us. My goodness, you know, Bo is so proud of you, he’s more proud of you than I am for making the dean’s list… R: You didn’t tell him, did you? N: No. I couldn’t find the words, and then when I did, I just couldn’t get them out of my mouth. R: Mom, I know it’s hard, but listen, you have to find a way. N: I can’t break his heart. I just can’t break his heart. R: Mom, what about you? Your feelings, your needs? You need Bo to understand what’s happening, you need him to lean on. You just need Bo. N: I know. I know, I know, I know. R: Then stop protecting him. Now, you listen to me. This is your life we’re talking about here, and that includes your life with Bo. So you go home and you tell him about the operation. What else can you do?