Épisode Faute professionnelle S05E03 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 5

TEASER


FADE IN:


INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY ONE 1

LOREN is stocking infant food on a shelf (beside some baby
bottles designed to look like turtles). As he stocks, he casts
a frustrated glance over at:

EMMA, who sits at her sewing machine, bored, having no work to
do. She gazes off, deep in thought, until MIKE enters toting
KATIE in the Cheyenne sling Sully made, and carrying an armful
of her pregnancy dresses. As she passes Loren:

MIKE
Good morning, Loren.

LOREN
Mornin', Dr. Mike.
(to Katie)
And a good mornin' to you,
sweetie.
(to Mike, holds up
infant food)
Got a new brand of infant food.
Just come in.
(to Katie, rubbing
his stomach)
Mmm...

MIKE
(smiles)
We're going to hold off on that
for a few more months, Loren,
until Katie's ready.
(continuing to Emma)
Emma, I'd like to hire you to do
some more work for me.

Loren takes note of this, as Mike sets the load of dresses in
front of Emma.

MIKE
My pregnancy dresses. They need
to be taken in.
(beat)
A lot.

EMMA
(brightening)
Sure.

LOREN
(also brightening)
Oughta keep her busy for awhile.

(CONTINUED)


2.


CONTINUED: 1

The moment is interrupted by DOROTHY, who hurries in,
concerned.

DOROTHY
Michaela, that new couple from
Denver -- the lawyer and his wife
-- just pulled up in front of the
clinic. Their baby's sick.

Mike reacts, hurries out with Dorothy.


EXT. CLINIC - CONTINUOUS - DAY ONE 2

As Mike and Dorothy rush over to the clinic:

DOROTHY
I checked inside -- Andrew's not
there.

MIKE
He rode out to look in on Mrs.
Borman.

They arrive at the clinic, as a frantic MR. and MRS. NORRIS
(well off) hold their swaddled, crying BABY (about ten months
old). As Mike steps up to them:

MR. NORRIS
(to Dorothy)
I thought you were getting the
doctor?

MIKE
I'm Dr. Quinn.

Instantly all business, Mike starts looking at the baby.

MRS. NORRIS
He has diarrhea, it's getting
worse...

Mike feels the baby's forehead.

MIKE
What's his name?

MRS. NORRIS
Michael.

MIKE
He doesn't seem to have a fever --
let's go inside, Mrs...?

(CONTINUED)


3.


CONTINUED: 2

MR. NORRIS
(before she can
respond)
Norris.

DOROTHY
I'll look after Katie.

MIKE
Thank you, Dorothy.

As Mike hands Katie to Dorothy:

MR. NORRIS
(to Dorothy)
You said there was a real doctor
in town.

Mike ignores this as she holds the clinic door open for Mr. and
Mrs. Norris.

MIKE
Please come inside.

Mrs. Norris carries the baby in. Mr. Norris hesitates a beat,
then follows.


INT. CLINIC - MOMENTS LATER - DAY ONE 3

Mike examines the baby, as Mr. and Mrs. Norris look on.

MRS. NORRIS
(quietly, to Mr.
Norris)
This is just why I didn't want to
move here -- no hospital, no
doctor we know --

MIKE
How long has Michael had the
diarrhea?

MR. NORRIS
A few days.

MIKE
Have you been nursing him?

MRS. NORRIS
No. We've been weaning him the
last month, feeding him milk from
our cow --

(CONTINUED)


4.


CONTINUED: 3

MR. NORRIS
(to the point)
What's wrong with him?

MIKE
It's most likely gastroenteritis,
which often occurs in babies,
especially during weaning. But I
don't think there's anything to be
too worried about.

The Norris' relief is huge, immediate.

MIKE
I'd like you to withhold the cow's
milk for the next day or so.
We'll give him some water and weak
tea. There are some Cheyenne
herbs that are particularly
effective --

MR. NORRIS
Cheyenne? You don't mean Indian?

MIKE
I've used them on my own baby.
The herbs are actually gentler on
their stomachs than most
medicines.

Mrs. Norris looks at her husband, who hesitates a moment before
turning back to Mike, still wary:

MR. NORRIS
You're the doctor.

Off Mike, trying not to let Mr. Norris' tone get to her...


EXT. CLINIC - DAY ONE 4

Mr. Norris stands near the door, struggling with feelings of
guilt, as Mrs. Norris sits, worrying:

MRS. NORRIS
In Denver, we could've taken him
to a proper hospital --

MR. NORRIS
(cutting her off)
We've been over this. There are
too many other lawyers in Denver.
Here I can be the only one.

(CONTINUED)


5.


CONTINUED: 4

MRS. NORRIS
(beat, very quietly)
Business... always business.

Mike comes out; they spring to attention.

MIKE
Michael's sleeping comfortably, I
think he's over the worst of it.

Mrs. Norris shuts her eyes with relief.

MIKE
But I'd like to keep him here
overnight and observe him, just to
make sure. You may stay with him
if you'd like.

Mr. and Mrs. Norris exchange a look, then Mr. Norris looks back
at Mike and nods.


INT. NURSERY/RECOVERY ROOM - NIGHT ONE 5

Katie (offscreen) sleeps in her bassinet. Mike is sleeping in
the bed. All is quiet for a moment... then suddenly, a baby's
piercing SCREAMS startle Mike awake.

MIKE
(disoriented)
Katie...

She jumps out of bed and rushes to the bassinet to discover
Katie sleeping soundly. The baby's SCREAMS continue, and Mike
now realizes it's coming from the other recovery room -- from
Michael.


INT. RECOVERY ROOM - NIGHT ONE 6

Mike bursts into the room (this should all feel fast and
panicked); Mr. Norris watches helplessly as Mrs. Norris cradles
the baby, desperate. The baby's WAILS are weakening from
exhaustion.

MRS. NORRIS
He's worse -- !

MIKE
(feeling forehead)
He has a fever --

MR. NORRIS
I thought you said he was going to
be fine...

(CONTINUED)


6.


CONTINUED: 6

Mike takes the baby and lays him on the bed, checking his
respiration. Mrs. Norris hovers:

MRS. NORRIS
He won't stop crying...

MR. NORRIS
What's wrong with him!?

Mike notices a baby bottle on the bed. It's the same kind
(with the turtle design) Loren has stocked in his store (though
we don't need to draw much attention to it).

MIKE
Have you been feeding him?

MRS. NORRIS
He was hungry --

MR. NORRIS
She had to. He wouldn't drink any
more of that Indian tea.

MRS. NORRIS
I didn't know what else to do...

The baby's constant SCREAMS and deteriorating condition are
getting to Mike. This is one very sick baby. She unwraps the
swaddling blanket and lifts him in her arms.

MIKE
We need to bring down the fever...

Mike carries the baby out of the room --


INT. CLINIC - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT ONE 7

-- and rushes into the darkened clinic, followed by Mr. and
Mrs. Norris. She lays the baby on the examination table. The
baby's CRIES are barely audible now, as Mike unbuttons his
sleeper and removes it. She hurries over to the wash basin and
pours in cool water. Mike realizes the gravity of Michael's
condition and struggles to maintain her composure, as she dips
a cloth into the water.

MRS. NORRIS
(desperate)
He's not crying so much anymore.
Is he getting better...?

Mike takes the wet cloth and presses it to the baby, trying to
cool the fever. She dips the cloth in the water again, but
when she turns back to the baby, she suddenly reacts with
alarm. She leans in, examining the now silent baby.

(CONTINUED)


7.


CONTINUED: 7

A tortured look crosses Mike's face as she checks for a pulse,
but finds nothing. Mr. and Mrs. Norris watch in horror as Mike
closes her eyes for an agonizing moment. She turns to them in
shock, barely able to speak.

MIKE
I... I'm so very sorry...

Mrs. Norris looks at Mike, dumbfounded. What can she mean?
She rushes to the baby:

MRS. NORRIS
No! No...

She gathers the baby in her arms, and wails:

MRS. NORRIS
No no no...

Mr. Norris hurries to his wife's side, holding her and the baby
tightly. Mike can't watch. She looks away, tears welling in
her eyes as we:

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER





8.


ACT ONE


FADE IN:


EXT. HOMESTEAD PORCH - DAY TWO 8

Mike, exhausted, sits under the oak tree on this warm
afternoon, holding a sleeping Katie in her arms. Mike stares
down at her baby, her expression one of deep anguish. SULLY
comes out of the house, crouches beside her.

SULLY
(gently)
Why don't you go lay her down?
You need to get some sleep.

But Mike isn't about to let go of her baby.

MIKE
(quiet)
In a minute.

Mike continues to gaze at Katie. After a moment:

MIKE
(still trying to
figure out what
killed the baby)
Perhaps it was cholera infantum...

SULLY
(concerned)
Cholera?

MIKE
No... it's not actually related to
Asiatic cholera. It's a severe,
inflammatory diarrhea, occurring
mainly in infants.
(beat, quiet)
It strikes suddenly... oftentimes
fatal...

Mike falls silent for a moment, struggling with emotions that
are becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.

MIKE
It's not the first time I've lost
a patient... It's not even the
first time I've lost a baby...

SULLY
(understanding)
First time since we got our own.

(CONTINUED)


9.


CONTINUED: 8

Mike quiets, nods. Sully watches her a moment, reading the
pain in her eyes.

SULLY
Michaela...
(she looks at him)
You did everythin' you could.

Mike holds his look a moment, then gazes back down at Katie.

MIKE
I can't imagine what those parents
must be feeling...

Sully quiets -- he knows exactly what they're feeling.


INT. CLINIC - DAY TWO 9

Mike's at her desk, studying a medical text, as ANDREW leans
in, observing over her shoulder.

MIKE
It appeared to be a simple
gastrointestinal catarrh. But
then the baby developed a sudden
fever. His pulse was quick and
small, respiration distressed --

ANDREW
Cholera infantum?

MIKE
I believe so. The frightening
thing is that the baby appeared to
be recovering. After I
administered the tea, he was able
to sleep comfortably --

ANDREW
Tea?

MIKE
A Cheyenne drink, made from the
roots of a wild geranium plant.

ANDREW
(intrigued)
Another Indian remedy?

MIKE
It's a very effective astringent.

Andrew considers this a moment, impressed.

(CONTINUED)


10.


CONTINUED: 9

ANDREW
Wild geranium... interesting.

MIKE
Cholera infantum is usually
brought on by eating improper
foods...

ANDREW
Or poor living conditions.

MIKE
The parents seem well-off. It was
more likely the food. They were
in the midst of weaning the child
-- In fact, the mother had just
fed him some milk before the final
attack.

ANDREW
The milk was probably bad.

Mike nods, then hesitates a moment. She knows what she must
now do, but it's very difficult for her.

MIKE
I should go check. I'll drop
Katie off with Becky and ride out
to the Norris' homestead.

Mike stands, starts for the side door (to go up to the nursery
and get Katie). Andrew sees how uneasy she is and volunteers:

ANDREW
I can go if you'd like.

Mike stops at the door, looks back at him appreciatively:

MIKE
No... I should do this. I haven't
spoken with them since... since it
happened.

Andrew nods quietly, as Mike goes out.


EXT. NORRIS HOUSE - DAY TWO 10

Mike rides up on FLASH and dismounts. She pauses a moment,
takes a deep breath, then starts over to Mrs. Norris, who
numbly takes laundry down from the clothesline.

MIKE
Mrs. Norris...?

(CONTINUED)


11.


CONTINUED: 10

Mrs. Norris takes down some baby clothes from the line. Mike
tears her eyes away from the baby's clothes:

MIKE
I... I can't tell you how sorry I
am. I feel...

But nothing she can say will suffice. She falls silent, as
Mrs. Norris looks at her a moment, then continues folding the
baby clothes mechanically. Mike doesn't know what to say; this
is even harder than she thought it was going to be.

MIKE
(very delicate)
We need to find out what happened
to Michael...

MRS. NORRIS
(barely audible)
We know what happened...

MIKE
Yes, but... we need to discover
the cause. The milk you had been
feeding him -- was it drawn from
only one cow?

MRS. NORRIS
You'd better go home.

MIKE
I will... I'd just... I'd like to
take a small sample of the milk,
to see if there are any
impurities. And if I could see
the room where Michael slept --

MR. NORRIS (O.S.)
Are you implying we didn't take
care of our son?

Mike turns to discover Mr. Norris approaching from the house,
dazed and tired and deeply hurt.

MIKE
No... no, of course not. We just
need to find out what caused
Michael's illness.
(back to Mrs. Norris)
Did you feed him anything else
besides the milk?

(CONTINUED)


12.


CONTINUED: (2) 10

MRS. NORRIS
No...
(her grief overcomes
her)
Excuse me...

She hurries inside the house. Mr. Norris watches her go, then
turns back to Mike, his sadness turning to anger:

MR. NORRIS
The only thing we fed him was your
damn Indian plants.

MIKE
They couldn't have hurt him --

MR. NORRIS
(figuring it out)
In fact, that's all he ate before
he got worse --

MIKE
Well, actually, your wife also fed
him more milk, which is why I need
--

MR. NORRIS
What you need is to leave.

He starts to go inside.

MIKE
Mr. Norris please, all I want to
do is --

MR. NORRIS
You've done enough. My son's dead
because of your incompetence.

He goes in and slams the door, leaving Mike stunned. As she
looks down, sees the baby's clothes left in the basket --


EXT. GRACE'S CAFE - DAY THREE 11

Sully is at a table with BRIAN, MATTHEW and Emma, finishing
lunch.

EMMA
Finished two of 'em... but I still
got three more dresses to take in.

BRIAN
All from Ma?

(CONTINUED)


13.


CONTINUED: 11

MATTHEW
(smiling to Brian)
She was pregnant a long time,
remember?

As Matthew and Brian share a smile:

SULLY
(to Emma)
You enjoyin' workin' in the store?

EMMA
It's all right. Just wish
business would pick up.

MATTHEW
What're you talkin' about? You
got five dresses to work on.

EMMA
(pointedly)
From one customer... and it's Dr.
Mike.

Matthew shuts up, seeing the building frustration on her face.
After a beat:

EMMA
I better get goin'.

Emma stands and starts off. Matthew looks at Sully, who puts
an encouraging hand on his shoulder as he stands.

SULLY
Give it time. Folks'll come
around.

Matthew nods, as Sully starts out of the cafe (toward the
meadow).


+NEW ANGLE - AT THE ROAD 12

Sully stops in his tracks, reacting to something he sees at the
edge of the trees:


+HIS POV 13

of CLOUD DANCING, watching him, looking much better than the
last time we saw him.



14.


+BACK TO SULLY 14

as he starts over, pleased to see his friend. The two meet and
grasp arms, smiling.

CLOUD DANCING
Ha-ho.

SULLY
Ha-ho. You got a day pass?

Cloud Dancing holds up his pass.

CLOUD DANCING
I have followed the new Agent's
rules, and so I have earned his
trust.

Sully sees the deep sadness in Cloud Dancing's expression.

SULLY
They makin' you live in the wood
houses?

CLOUD DANCING
(nods)
I am no longer allowed to speak my
language or use my medicine.

SULLY
Ain't gonna stop 'til they change
your whole way a life.

CLOUD DANCING
But they cannot change who I am.
I will be the same man I have
always been...

Sully nods, quieting.

CLOUD DANCING
And so will you.

On Sully, absorbing this in troubled silence...


EXT. CLINIC - DAY THREE 15

Mike leads GRACE out of the clinic, followed by Andrew.
Grace's hand is wrapped in a bandage.

MIKE
The cut should heal in a few days.

GRACE
Thanks, Dr. Mike.

(CONTINUED)


15.


CONTINUED: 15

ANDREW
And next time, try sneezing after
you've finished washing the
knives.

GRACE
(smiles)
I'll remember that.

Grace starts off, pausing to coo at Katie, who is carried
toward the clinic by BECKY. Becky continues over to Mike.

BECKY
She's gettin' hungry again, Dr.
Mike.

Mike takes Katie from her and gives the baby a sweet smile:

MIKE
You have the most voracious
appetite...

Mike starts to carry Katie into the clinic, but before she can
close the door:

MR. NORRIS (O.S.)
Dr. Quinn...

Mike, Andrew and Becky turn to see Mr. Norris walking up from
the direction of the telegraph office, tense and tight-jawed.

MIKE
Mr. Norris...

Mr. Norris pauses a moment, seeing Katie in Mike's arms. He
steels himself, fighting back his emotions as he hands a piece
of paper to Mike.

MIKE
What's this?

Sully comes around the corner (from direction of the meadow) in
time to hear:

MR. NORRIS
It's a restraining order, issued
by Circuit Court Judge Frederick
Webster in Denver.

MIKE
A restraining order...?

MR. NORRIS
It's a legal document prohibiting
you from practicing medicine until
he hears this case.

(CONTINUED)


16.


CONTINUED: (2) 15

SULLY
(stepping in)
What case?

A crowd starts to gather (including ROBERT E, Dorothy from the
Gazette, among other TOWNSFOLK). Mr. Norris struggles to keep
his emotions in check, but his anger is getting away from him.

MR. NORRIS
I'm suing you for malpractice in
the treatment of my son -- and I'm
seeking restitution for his death.

ANDREW
Malpractice?

MR. NORRIS
(to Andrew)
This woman killed my son with her
Indian medicine.

Now Sully's getting angry.

SULLY
She tried to save him --

DOROTHY
'Course she did --

Katie, hungry, starts to cry. Mr. Norris looks at her, which
only fuels his fire. Mike pulls Katie close to her, rocking
her as:

MIKE
Please, Mr. Norris, I understand
you're upset --

MR. NORRIS
Understand this: that is a legal
document. If you practice
medicine, you'll be thrown in
jail.

MIKE
But I have patients --

DOROTHY
This town needs her --

The crowd AGREES. Mr. Norris raises his voice to them:

MR. NORRIS
We needed her, too! She told me
my son was going to be fine.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


17.


CONTINUED: (3) 15

MR. NORRIS (CONT'D)
(his grief
overwhelming him)
We listened to her, did what she
told us... and within hours he was
dead...
(but he won't give
into sorrow:)
I'm doing you all a favor.

MIKE
Mr. Norris, please believe me, I
did everything I could --

MR. NORRIS
You did everything wrong -- and
I'm going to make sure you never
do it again.

He strides off, leaving behind a confused town, and a very
worried Mike, as we:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE





18.


ACT TWO


FADE IN:


EXT. CAFE - DAY THREE 16

Mike (with Katie in her carriage) and Sully sit at a table,
looking over the restraining order, surrounded by Townsfolk
(including Matthew, Andrew, Loren, Robert E, Grace, and
Dorothy).

GRACE
Can he really make you stop
practicin', Dr. Mike?

LOREN
The man's a lawyer. They're
always foulin' things up.

DOROTHY
(to Loren)
But Michaela did her best, it
wasn't her fault --

MATTHEW
I can't believe he's doin' this.

MIKE
(quietly)
He's very upset. He's lost his
child.

This quiets everyone. Sully looks at Mike.

SULLY
Still... it don't mean he's got a
right to keep you from doctorin'.

DOROTHY
What're you gonna do, Michaela?

Mike looks at the restraining order in her hand -- she's not
quite sure.

MIKE
It'll be all right. Andrew is
here to watch the clinic.

Andrew nods.

LOREN
Yeah, 'til he gets sued like you.

Andrew reacts to this, suddenly uneasy.

(CONTINUED)


19.


CONTINUED: 16

ROBERT E
(to Mike)
You're not gonna stop bein' a
doctor, are you?

Mike doesn't know what to say.

MIKE
I... I can't break the law --

SULLY
It's only for a few days -- just
'til this hearin's over.
(to Mike)
Judge'll come out, see this for
what it is -- a man upset 'bout
losin' his son.

Mike meets his look, hoping this will prove true...


EXT. CEMETERY - DAY THREE 17

Mr. Norris kneels solemnly before a fresh grave, placing
flowers in front of the wooden headstone, which reads simply:
MICHAEL NORRIS -- 1870 - 1871. He bows his head, struggling
with his overpowering grief.

After a moment he looks up, sees Sully standing not far off,
watching him. Mr. Norris collects himself and stands, putting
on his hat as he starts out of the cemetery. As he passes
Sully:

SULLY
Mr. Norris... I'm real sorry 'bout
your boy --

MR. NORRIS
(quiet, sullen)
Please. I know you're only here
on your wife's behalf, so you
might as well save your breath --

SULLY
I know how you feel --

MR. NORRIS
(sudden, angry)
No. Don't you dare... don't you
dare condescend to me. You can't
possibly know what it's like to
lose a child.

Sully holds his look for a moment, then:

(CONTINUED)


20.


CONTINUED: 17

SULLY
I was mad at everythin' for a long
time after my daughter Hannah
died...

Mr. Norris is caught off-guard by this. He watches as Sully
walks a few steps to another grave, crouching before it.

SULLY
Passed away in childbirth, along
with my wife.
(beat, looks back at
Mr. Norris)
It ain't the same, I know that --
everybody hurts different. But
bein' angry didn't change
anythin'...
(looks back at the
grave)
Didn't bring her back.

That touches Mr. Norris' grief; for a moment, he seems about to
connect. But then:

MR. NORRIS
This isn't about Michael... or me.
(beat)
It's about protecting the good
people of this town from a
doctor's incompetence.

He walks off. Sully watches him go in silence.


EXT. HOMESTEAD - NIGHT THREE - ESTABLISHING (STOCK) 18


INT. HOMESTEAD - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT THREE 19

Brian finishes setting the table for dinner as Mike and Sully
carry in food.

BRIAN
Feels strange settin' the table
for just three people.

MIKE
I know. Colleen's only been gone
a week, and already I miss her.
(as they sit)
But perhaps it's best she's not
here. I'm sure this malpractice
case would be very upsetting to
her.

(CONTINUED)


21.


CONTINUED: 19

BRIAN
What's it mean when somebody sues
you for malpractice?

Mike and Sully exchange a quiet look, then:

MIKE
Mr. and Mrs. Norris feel that I
didn't do my job properly... that
the Cheyenne tea I gave their son
wasn't the correct treatment.

BRIAN
But you'd never do anythin' to
hurt somebody.

SULLY
Judge is gonna come out and decide
for himself.

BRIAN
An' 'til then you can't be a
doctor?

Mike nods quietly.

BRIAN
That ain't fair.

MIKE
It's a precautionary measure,
Brian. When doctors are perceived
to have made an error, the safest
course is to prevent them from
practicing medicine until their
case is settled.

Sully gives Mike a sympathetic look, then turns back to Brian:

SULLY
Doctors ain't like the rest of us,
Brian. They ain't allowed to make
mistakes.

MIKE
Sometimes it's necessary to...
weed out the bad. There was a
doctor in Boston -- an excellent
surgeon, but he was frequently
intoxicated. He was found guilty
of malpractice, and they were
right to do it -- he shouldn't
have been practicing.

SULLY
That ain't the same...

(CONTINUED)


22.


CONTINUED: (2) 19

MIKE
It is to Mr. Norris.
(then)
Since medicine's become more
scientific, people expect
scientific results.

BRIAN
So what happens if the Judge finds
you guilty?

SULLY
He won't.

MIKE
If he does, he'll take away my
license... and I won't be allowed
to practice medicine again.

All three fall silent, not eating, absorbing the weight of
this.


INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY FOUR 20

Mike (carrying Katie in the Cheyenne sling), stands by the
counter (near the front door), holding up one of the dresses
Emma has finished for her. She looks pleased with the result.

MIKE
It looks wonderful, Emma.

EMMA
I should have the rest done by
Friday, if that's all right.

MIKE
Friday is fine.

A WOMAN enters, gives Emma a cool look before proceeding to the
back of the store. Emma tries to brush this off, turns back to
Mike, who's noticed this exchange.

MIKE
I know it's been difficult for
you.

EMMA
Yeah...
(beat)
Been wantin' to be a dress maker
all my life...

Emma quiets a moment as the woman moves past them, heading back
out the door. As Emma and Mike watch the woman go out:

(CONTINUED)


23.


CONTINUED: 20

EMMA
It's tough when people won't let
you do what you love...

Mike starts to nod, then something outside catches her eye:


+MIKE'S POV 21

of Andrew, stepping out of the clinic with a PATIENT whose arm
is in a sling. He sends the man off with a reassuring pat on
the back, then goes back into the clinic and shuts the door.


+BACK TO MIKE 22

watching this.

MIKE
I know exactly what you mean,
Emma.

Mike looks at Emma, and the two connect in a silent
understanding.

MIKE
But I'm sure it'll all work out
for the best... for both of us.

Emma nods, wanting to believe this.


EXT. CHURCH - DAY FOUR 23

Several townsfolk, including Loren, Dorothy, Andrew, Robert E,
Grace and Emma surround Mike, Sully, Brian and Matthew.
Everyone is waiting, trying to give Mike their support.

GRACE
We're all behind you, Dr. Mike.

ROBERT E
We'll tell that Judge what kinda
doctor you are.

SULLY
(looking off)
Here they come.

All eyes turn to see:



24.


+MR. NORRIS 24

approaching from the town with Mrs. Norris and two
distinguished-looking men, JUDGE WEBSTER and DR. CASSIDY.
Judge Webster is a gruff, impatient old man who likes to cut to
the chase. Mr. Norris gestures to Mike, and the Judge steps
forward.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Dr. Quinn?

MIKE
Yes.

JUDGE WEBSTER
(extending his hand)
Judge Frederick Webster.

Mike shakes his hand.

JUDGE WEBSTER
I understand you already know Dr.
Cassidy.

MIKE
(uneasy)
Yes... I do.

DR. CASSIDY
(tipping his hat)
Good to see you again, Dr. Quinn.

JUDGE WEBSTER
He'll be offering medical
testimony.

Mike reacts uncomfortably to this. Dr. Cassidy just smiles.

JUDGE WEBSTER
(fast, hoping to get
this over with soon)
Dr. Quinn, only the Medical Review
Board has the right to revoke your
license. The purpose of this
hearing is to evaluate whether you
should be allowed to keep
practicing prior to their
determination of your competence.

MIKE
I understand, your honor.

JUDGE WEBSTER
(gesturing to the
townsfolk)
And who are all these people?

(CONTINUED)


25.


CONTINUED: 24

LOREN
We're her patients.

DOROTHY
We wanna speak on her behalf.

The Judge sighs -- this looks like it's going to take longer
than he had hoped.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Fine, then.
(gesturing to the
church)
Shall we?

The crowd starts into the church. Sully holds Mike and Brian
back a moment.

SULLY
(to Mike)
You go on inside. We'll be along
shortly.

MIKE
What are you going to do?

SULLY
(re: Dr. Cassidy)
They got their expert witness,
we're gonna get ours.
(to Brian)
C'mon.

Mike reacts, confused, as Sully and Brian start off toward
town. She then continues into the church.


EXT. ROAD IN COUNTRYSIDE - DAY FOUR 25

Sully and Brian ride along on their horses, until Sully pulls
to a stop.

SULLY
This is as far as I can go. You
ride on into the reservation, find
Cloud Dancing. I'll wait here.

BRIAN
All right.

Brian rides on.



26.


INT. CHURCH - DAY FOUR 26

The church has been set up for what looks like a trial. Judge
Webster sits up front at a table; Mike sits at a table with
Matthew. Across from them sits Mrs. Norris. The townsfolk
(including Dorothy, Loren, Andrew, Robert E, Grace and Emma)
sit behind them.

Mr. Norris stands questioning Dr. Cassidy, who sits in a chair
next to the Judge.

MR. NORRIS
Dr. Cassidy, would you ever use
Indian potions to treat diarrhea?

DR. CASSIDY
Absolutely not -- there are many
scientifically proven modern
medications available...

MR. NORRIS
Would you ever use Indian potions
to treat any malady?

DR. CASSIDY
No.

Judge Webster gets to the point:

JUDGE WEBSTER
How would you have treated this
patient?

DR. CASSIDY
Without having examined the child,
it's difficult to say precisely.
But there are any number of
scientific remedies for
gastrointestinal catarrh --
arsenicum, calcara, mercurius --

JUDGE WEBSTER
Is it not possible that here, in a
rural setting, a doctor might not
be familiar with this information?

DR. CASSIDY
(looking right at
Mike)
It's the responsibility of every
doctor to stay current -- with
medical journals and periodicals.

The Judge turns to Mike, who realizes this is going badly for
her.

(CONTINUED)


27.


CONTINUED: 26

JUDGE WEBSTER
Were you aware of these
medications, Dr. Quinn?

MIKE
Yes, but in this instance --

JUDGE WEBSTER
And did you have them available in
your clinic?

MIKE
Yes, but I used a treatment with
which I've had successful personal
experience -- many times.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Then why was it not successful
this time?

MIKE
It was successful.

This quiets the room. Mike casts a glance at Mrs. Norris,
hesitating a moment -- she knows that what she's about to say
will not go over well:

MIKE
The baby's condition was
improving. It wasn't until the
child was fed milk that I now
believe was impure --

MR. NORRIS
(getting angry)
You now believe?! Now that our
son is dead!

JUDGE WEBSTER
Mr. Norris --

MR. NORRIS
This is how you cover your
mistakes, by shifting the blame to
us --

JUDGE WEBSTER
(firm)
Mr. Norris.

MR. NORRIS
(to the Judge)
She fed our son poison, Judge. A
lethal Indian drink that killed
him --

(CONTINUED)


28.


CONTINUED: (2) 26

SULLY (O.S.)
It ain't poison.

All eyes turn to see Sully standing inside the doorway with
Brian and Cloud Dancing.

JUDGE WEBSTER
(re: Cloud Dancing)
Who is this?

SULLY
This man is a respected healer.
He knows the treatments she used.
He oughta be allowed to talk.

DR. CASSIDY
This is nonsense.

DOROTHY
No, it ain't. Cloud Dancin's
helped a lotta people with his
medicine.

Other townsfolk chime their agreement.

MR. NORRIS
Judge, I must strongly object to
this --

JUDGE WEBSTER
Overruled. I'll allow him to
speak.

TIME CUT TO:


INT. CHURCH - A SHORT TIME LATER - DAY FOUR 27

Cloud Dancing now sits in the chair next to the Judge. Dr.
Cassidy sits beside Mrs. Norris, appalled that this Indian is
being allowed to speak.

MR. NORRIS
And just how do you know this
"tea" is safe?

CLOUD DANCING
Wild geranium has been used by our
people for many years. It has
never harmed anyone.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Well obviously something went
wrong this time.

(CONTINUED)


29.


CONTINUED: 27

CLOUD DANCING
The Great Spirit sometimes takes
his child back. Then there is
nothing we can do.

DR. CASSIDY
(to Cloud Dancing)
We do not have such a cavalier
attitude towards medicine as you
do. We keep trying, we do not
accept defeat.

CLOUD DANCING
Then your patients always live?

MURMURS from the crowd.

DR. CASSIDY
I'm not on trial here --
(to the Judge)
And I will not be lectured to
regarding professional conduct by
an Indian.

MR. NORRIS
The very fact that Dr. Quinn took
medical lessons from him in itself
proves her incompetence.

Mike tries to get this back on course:

MIKE
Your honor, may I ask Dr. Cassidy
a question?

The Judge nods. Mike turns to Dr. Cassidy.

MIKE
If in fact the milk that was fed
to the baby was impure, could that
lead to cholera infantum?

DR. CASSIDY
If you believed the milk to be
impure, why didn't you test it
when the baby was first brought to
you?

MIKE
I wasn't aware of the severity --

(CONTINUED)


30.


CONTINUED: (2) 27

MR. NORRIS
(interrupting)
I'll tell you why -- negligence.
(to the Judge)
There was nothing wrong with that
milk. If Dr. Quinn would've just
followed the methods Dr. Cassidy
spoke of, Michael would still be
alive.

Mike struggles to maintain her composure.

MIKE
Your honor, it's understandable
that Mr. Norris wants to strike
out at me. His loss is... tragic
and incomprehensible.
(to Mr. Norris)
But we can't be sure, even if I'd
used Dr. Cassidy's methods, that
Michael would have lived.

The townsfolk mutter their agreement. Mr. Norris takes that
in, then turns to the Judge:

MR. NORRIS
Perhaps we should get another
doctor's opinion.
(turns to Andrew)
Dr. Cook?

As Andrew reacts, stunned --

TIME CUT TO:


INT. CHURCH - A SHORT TIME LATER - DAY FOUR 28

Andrew now sits next to the Judge, answering Mr. Norris'
questions. Andrew is extremely uneasy, wanting very much to
help Mike.

MR. NORRIS
You've only worked with Dr. Quinn
for a short time.

ANDREW
Yes, that's correct, but in that
time, I've found Dr. Quinn to be
exceedingly professional and
diligent. I have the utmost
respect for her --

(CONTINUED)


31.


CONTINUED: 28

MR. NORRIS
(cutting him off)
Have you ever found yourself
questioning her judgment?

Andrew looks at Mike.

ANDREW
Yes... once.
(back to Mr. Norris)
But I was proven wrong. I've
learned a great deal from her.

MR. NORRIS
What about in this instance?
Would you have given my child an
Indian "tea"?

Andrew hesitates a moment.

ANDREW
Well... I'm not yet familiar with
the various herbs --

MR. NORRIS
Given the choice between the
scientifically proven medicines
Dr. Quinn has available in her
clinic, and an ancient Indian
potion, which would you prescribe?

ANDREW
Again, this is hard for me to --

JUDGE WEBSTER
Just answer the question, son.

Andrew quiets, feeling terrible. But he finally must admit the
truth:

ANDREW
I would prescribe the medicines
Dr. Cassidy spoke of.

The crowd MURMURS uneasily. Andrew wilts in his chair, unable
to meet Mike's look. The Judge seems satisfied and quiets the
crowd.

JUDGE WEBSTER
All right, let's have it quiet in
here.
(then, to Mike)
Dr. Quinn, you are obviously a
well-meaning woman.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


32.


CONTINUED: (2) 28

JUDGE WEBSTER (CONT'D)
Yet the evidence demands that I
suspend your license, pending the
determination of the Medical
Review Board. Until that time,
you are forbidden to practice
medicine, under penalty of law.

Mike looks down. Sully puts his arm around her. The family
and the townsfolk are all very upset.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Furthermore, I find that the
ordinary care, expertise and
diligence required of doctors in
such cases were not exercised in a
proper manner, thus causing
irreparable loss.

The townsfolk mutter, confused... what does this mean?

JUDGE WEBSTER
I therefore find for the
plaintiff, and order you, Dr.
Michaela Quinn, to pay damages to
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Norris in the
sum of two thousand dollars.

Mike is stunned.

MIKE
But I... I don't have two thousand
dollars.

JUDGE WEBSTER
Then you must get it.

Mike is overwhelmed -- she looks at Sully, who shakes his head.
On their shared fear, we:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO





33.


ACT THREE


FADE IN:


INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY FIVE 29

Robert E and Grace enter to find Dorothy and Emma at the front
counter. Emma is signing a petition, as Loren watches.

LOREN
What's that?

DOROTHY
It's a petition, Loren, tellin'
the Medical Review Board we know
from personal experience that
Michaela's an excellent doctor.

GRACE
Still can't believe that Judge.
Didn't even give us a chance to
speak.

DOROTHY
(turning to her)
Well, now you can let your voice
be heard, by signin' the petition.

Dorothy holds out the pencil, and Grace takes it, signing the
petition.

ROBERT E
I'll sign it, too.

Dorothy turns to Loren.

DOROTHY
Loren?

LOREN
Might as well, though I don't know
what good it's gonna do.

As Loren moves in to sign:

ANDREW (O.S.)
I'd like to sign it as well.

Everyone turns to discover Andrew standing in the doorway, an
uneasy look on his face. But the townsfolk are not angry with
him -- they understand his predicament and feel for him.

(CONTINUED)


34.


CONTINUED: 29

DOROTHY
(holding out the
pencil to him)
Of course, Andrew.

Andrew takes the pencil and signs his name, feeling a sense of
relief.


INT. HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN - NIGHT FIVE 30

It's late; the fire has almost gone out. Mike sits in her
nightgown at the kitchen table, adding up some figures on a
tablet, struggling to keep her emotions in check. Sully comes
downstairs, puts an arm on her shoulder:

SULLY
Katie's asleep.
(beat)
What'cha doin'?

MIKE
I'm just figuring out how much I
could sell my medical equipment
for...

Sully is very surprised. He sits next to her.

MIKE
It's... it's not nearly enough to
pay