Scritpt - Quase Deuses

8/13/2019 Scritpt - Quase Deuses

1/63

SomethingtheLordMadeScript DialogueTranscript

Scene:ConstructionSite

Boss:Allright,everybody,thatsitfortheday. Besureyougetthat

dropclothupbeforeyouleave,allright?....

Thatssomenicework,youngblood.

Thomas:Thank

you,

Mr.

Roulette.

Boss:Yeah,yourdaddytaughtyouright. Youknow,whenallthe

constructionstartscomingbackyougotskillstomakesomethingof

yourself.

Thomas:Thankyou,sir. Thatsfine. Icanwaituntilpayday.

Boss:Imsorry,alltheothershavefamiliestofeed...butyoudogoodwork. Ilikewhatyoudo,okay?

Thomas: Okay. Yougotafunnywayoftellingmethat.

Scene:WalkingtoLaboratory

Morning.

Charlie:DidntItellyouIcouldpullsomestrings?

Thomas:Yes,youdid,Charlie. Thankyouverymuch,yourea

goodman. Buttellmewhy...Morning.Whywouldadoctorwant

tohireacarpenter?


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Charlie: Becauseitaintnothingbutscudworkanyway. Youaint

gonnalikeit.

Thomas:Yousaythepayis$12aweek?

Charlie:Yeah.

Thomas:Imlikingitalready.

Charlie:Allright,then.

Scene:MeetingwithDr.Blalock

Secretary:Dr.Blalock,thisisVivienThomas.

Blalock:Vivien?Thatsagirlsname.

Thomas:Yes,mymotherwassosureshewashavingagirlthatshepickedthenameearly,andkeptit.

Blalock:Youdontsay.

Thomas:Impleasedtomeetyou,sir.

Blalock:CallmeDoctor,and,Francis,youcantellthisgooddoctor

thathistheoriesareextremelyinteresting,andIllbeprayingfor

him.

Secretary:Yes,Doctor.

Blalock:ThoughitshispatientsIshouldbeprayingfor. Keepup,

son. Thisiswheremyworkisdone.


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Thomas:Whatisyourwork?

Blalock:Medicalresearch.Wepushthelimitsofsurgeryusingstraydogswegetfromthelocaldogcatch. Theyredarling,but

dontgettooattached. Theyreameanstoagreatend. Thedog

pensgetcleaneduptwiceaday. Ineedthelabsweptevery

morning. Simpletasks,buttheyprovedbeyondtheabilitiesofyour

predecessors. Doyouthinkyoucanhandleit?

Scene:Onthebus

Mrs.Thomas:So?

Thomas: Sowhat?

(Mrs.)Thomas:Dont sowhatme.Didyougetit? Yougotit.You

musthavegotit. Itsworkingatahospital,right?

Thomas:Yeah.

(Mrs.)Thomas:Imsoglad.Everyonesgonnaseehowsmartyou

are.

Thomas:Idontknowhowsmartyouhavetobetoshovelup. The

guyImworkingfor,heseemedkindofeccentric,butheisadoctor,

yeah.

(Mrs.)Thomas:Thatsright,heisadoctor.Soyoujustkeepyour

eyesopen.Wecangetmarriednow.

Thomas:Yeah. Doeverythingjustlikewelaiditout.

Mrs.Thomas:DoctorandMrs.Thomas.


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Scene:Inthelaboratory

Blalock:Vivien.

Thomas:Goodmorning,sir.

Blalock:Yousaidyouwereacarpenter?

Thomas: Yes.

Blalock: Didyougotohighschool?

Thomas: Yes,Idid.Gotmydiploma. Planningongoingto

TennesseeStatenextyeartostudymedicine,beadoctor.

Blalock: Unusualambitionforacarpenter.

Thomas:IalwayswantedtobeonesinceIwasakid. Ialmostsaved

upenoughmoneyforcollegeandthenslowdownhit.

Blalock:ThoseareVanSlykeneogasmanometersoverthere. ...

Soyoucanhandleasaw?

Thomas:Yeah,sinceIwastwelve.

Blalock:Dotell.

Thomas:Forcuttingthelinesmyfatherwouldmeasureonthe

lumber,sir.

Blalock:CallmeDoctor. Soyourdaddysacarpenter,too?What

doeshethinkofyourambition?


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Thomas:HesalwaysknownIhadmymindsetonit.

Blalock:Thoseapparatusontheworkbench,whataretheycalled?

Thomas:VanSlykeneogasmanometers,sir,Doctor.

Blalock:Theyare,indeed. VanderbiltmaybeaPodunkinstitution,

butImgonnaputitonthemedicalmap. Imworkingontraumatic

shock. Damnthingkillsthousandsofpeopleeveryyearanddoctors

dontknowwhatthehelltodoaboutit.

Letmeseethosehands. ...Pickthatup...Nowthelefthand.

Good.

Secretary:Excuseme,Vivien. Dr.Blalockwantedyoutohavethis.

Thomas:Thankyou.

Secretary:Goodnight.

Scene:Thomashome

Father:Youknowwhatmygrandfatherdid?

HaroldThomas:Iknowthatitdoesnthaveanythingtodowithme

goingoutonstrike.

Father:Isaid, Doyouknowwhatmygrandfatherdid?

Harold:Yes.HepickedcottoninMississippi,youtoldmea

hundredtimes.


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Thomas:Itsnotthatbad. Imean,youlookinside,youseeallthe

colorsallthepinksandblues,reds. Itsbeautiful,Clara. Thats

wherelifecomesfrom.Whatsthis?

ManOutsideBank:Openup.

Thomas:Excuseme,sir.Whatsgoingonhere?

ManonStreet:Thebankisclosed

Thomas:Closed?

ManonStreet:Yup.

MenOutsideBank:Openup. Openthisdoor! Somebodygotto

seesomebodyinthere. Openup,its10oclock.Igottogettowork.

(Mrs.)Thomas:Letsgo,Vivien,wellcomebacklater.

Thomas:No,Clara,somethingswrong. Itcantbeclosed. Excuse

me. Excuseme,sir.Hello.

BankManager:Getawayfromthatwindow,wereclosed.

Thomas:ButIhavemymoneyinthere. Ineedtogetmymoneyout.

BankManager:Icantgetyourmoneybackforyou.

Thomas:Whynot?Tellmewhynot.

BankManager:Goonhome,son.Thebankhasfailed.

Thomas:Sir,thatsallmysavings. Ihadmymoneyforschoolin

there. Theygotmymoneyinthere. Sir,thatsmymoneyforcollege.


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BankManager: Yourmoneysgone.

Scene:Thomashome

Mother:Gone? Butwhataretheytalkingabout?

HaroldThomas:Theytalkingabout,itsgone,Ma.

Father:Wellalljusthavetostartover. Cantfightitnow,itsdone.

ClaraThomas:Itjustfeelssowrong.

Thomas:Tookmesevenyearstosavethatmoney.

HaroldThomas:Yourenottheonlyonewhohadmoneyinthat

bank.

Father:Itsdone,itsoverwith!

ClaraThomas:Westillgoteachother,Viv.

HaroldThomas:Yeah,wegoteachother. Thatsallpoorpeople

everhaveiseachother.

Scene:IntheLaboratory

Blalock:Theresnocutdownforthecannula,thefemoralvein. I

showedyouhowtodoit.

Thomas:Ifiguredoutawaytogiveitbarbitalintravenously.


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Blalock:Whereyouputtingit?

Thomas:Intheforepaw.

Blalock:Themanometer.

Thomas:Itsallsetup,Doctor.

Blalock:Good. Youcanbegintheincision.

Thomas: Imnotreadyforthat.

Blalock:Isayyoureready,youreready.Illmarkouttheline.And

youcutalongit.Justlikeyoudidforyourolddaddy.

Thomas:Likethis?

Blalock:Justlikethat.Keepyourhandtaut.Whyarewemaking

theincisionhere?

Thomas: Togainaccesstothepulmonaryartery.

Blalock:Andhowwillwefindit,Vivien?

Thomas:Itsthearteryleadingtothelungsfromtherightsideofthe

heart.

Blalock:Notbad.Nowtheribspreader. Andwhyarewegonna

damagepoorBrutus greatervessels?

Thomas:Toinducetraumaticshock,tostudyit.

Blalock:Watchthismanometer. AndimaginethatBrutusisa16

yearoldboyjustfelloutofatreesavinghismomscat.Hesbroken


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fourribs,hesconcussed. DadsrushedhimtoER. Buthesgone

intoshock.Hisbloodpressureswaydown.Hisvitalsignsalmost

nonexistent.

Canwesavehim? NotifIusepresentmethodsoftreatment. See,

conventionalwisdomsaysIshouldconstrictthevessels. Ibegto

differ.Letsbreaktheirrules. Usemyrules. Bodyneedsblood.

Letsgiveitsome.

Howsthatgauge?

Thomas:Stillfalling.

Blalock:Maybetheexpertsareright.MaybeImwrong.MaybeIll

killthisboyandbreakhismothersheart.

Thomas:Itsrising. Thatslifecomingback.

Blalock:Howsthatmakeyoufeel?

Thomas: Good. Verygood,Doctor.

Blalock:Letslookattherecordofourwork. Wheresthesmoke

drum?

Thomas:Imsorry?

Blalock:Thesmokedrums. Youdidntsetthesmokedrums?

Thomas:Whatisasmokedrum?

Blalock:Thatsasmokedrum.Whatthefuckiswrongwithyou? I

recordalltheinformationIneedformyresearchonasmokedrum.


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Thomas:Ididnotknowthat.

Blalock:Isnobodylisteningtome? Goddamnit! Ihavetodoeverythingmyself. Awholedaysworkgoesdownthetoilet,andI

havetostartalloveragain. Doyouhavesawdustorjustplainshit

forbrains?

Wherethehelldoyouthinkyouregoing? Fine,getoutofhere.

Vivien.Jesus.Holdonaminute,willyou?

Thomas:Iwasnotraisedtotakethattypeoftalk.

Blalock:Myapologies.ImsorryIlostmytemper.Normallyit

takesassistantsmonthstolearnwhatyoupickedupinamatterof

days. Itwonthappenagain. Please.

Scene:Blalockhome

Doctor:Ladiesandgentlemen. Fellows,takethemusicdown,will

you? Ladiesandgentlemen,thankyou. ImentionedtoGen.

CunninghamtheotherdayhowproudwewerethatAlhadchosen

usoverallthemedicalschoolsinthecountry.John,whydontyou

telleveryonewhatyousaid?

GeneralCunningham:Begladto,Walter. Ijustgotbackfroma

monthatthefront. Therearethousandsofourboysinfield

hospitalsalloverNorthAfricaandItalywhoowetheirlivestoDr.

Blalocksworkinthetreatmentofshock. Iwanteveryonehereto

knowhowgratefulwearetohimandhowproudyouallshouldbe.

Attendees:Hear,hear.


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GeneralCunningham:Dr.Blalock,welcome.

Blalock:Thankyou.

Doctor:Thanks,General. Itsgreattohaveyouhere,Albuttruthbe

told,itsMarywereallywant. OurnewChairmanofthe

DepartmentofSurgerymyoldanddearfriend,Dr.AlfredBlalock.

Blalock:Thankyou,Walter.MaryandIwelcomeyoualltoour

home. Asdoourdearchildren. Sadie,getthemtobed,now.

Thankyou,JohnsHopkins,formyprodigalreturnafter15yearsin

theTennesseebackwoods. Tofindmyselfbackhere. Dreamsdo

cometrue. YourethebestsurgeonsinthecountryandImhonored

toleadyou.

Touseatimelyreference: Wellstormthebeachestogether.

Shouldertoshoulder. Laysiegetothemysteriesofmedicine.Well

makethekindofprogressHopkinsusedtobeknownfor. Iknowwewillaccomplishgreatthingstogether.

Scene:Overdrinks

Blalock:Imlookingformynextwatersheddiscoverynottoputtoo

modestapointonit. Itsnotenoughforustobegreatsurgeons.We

needtobeoutstandingresearchers. Anyideas?Anything

innovative?

Dr.Longmire:Whataboutskingrafts? Testingwhatskingrips

mighttake.

Blalock:Isntskinmerelypackaging?

Longmire:No,itkeepsoutinfection.


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Dr.Taussig:Excuseme,Doctor,mayIsuggestsomething?

Blalock:Pleasedo.Imverysuggestible. Tellusyournameagain.

Taussig:IruntheHarrietLaneClinicforchildren.

Blalock:Dr.Taussig.Yes,ofcourse. Dr.Longmire,Dr.Kelven,Dr.

Cooley. Ivereadaboutyourresearch. Oncongenitallymalformed

hearts.

Doctor1:Boy,womenandtheirhearts.

Blalock:Vivien,wouldyougetDr.Taussigadrink?

Thomas:Whatwouldyoulike?

Taussig:Champagnewouldbelovely.

Blalock:Letslubricatetheveinofinspiration. Goon,Dr.Taussig,

tellusmore.

Taussig:Itssomethingthatuptonowhasbeenwrittenoffas

untreatable. ButIdontbelieveithastobe. Imspeakingof

TetralogyofFallot.

Blalock:Bluebabies.

Taussig:Yes,thesechildren,theirheartsarentfailingtheyre

suffocatingduetoablockageinthemainarterytothelung.

Thomas:Pulmonarystenosis.


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Taussig:Themortalityrateis100%. Ivewatchedhundredsof

cyanoticchildrendie. Iadmittedababytonightwhowillcertainly

diesimplybecausenoonehashadthecouragetoattemptasurgicalsolutiontothis.

Longmire:Maybewithgoodreason.

Doctor1:Toputitmildly,Helenyoucantoperateontheheart.

Thatsbasic.

Doctor2:Wedonthaveclinicalproofofthat...

Taussig:Mypointexactly.

Dr.DentonItspossibleforus...

Doctor1:Denton,youhavetostopthehearttoperforma

complicatedcorrectionwithinthreeminutes. Bythattime,theyre

dead.Thesechildrenaredoomed.

Blalock:Theremustbeawaytogetmorebloodtothelungs. I

mean,Idoubtwecouldrepairadefectintheheartwalls...

Thomas:withoutcausingventricularfibrillation.

Blalock:Butmaybetheresawaytoavoidinterferingwiththe

greatercirculation

Thomas:Ifwefocusonthepulmonaryartery.

Taussig:WhoonthisGodsearthareyou?

Scene:Thomashome


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Thomas:Broughthomesomefoodfromtheparty.

ClaraThomas:ImtryingtogetherdownViv.Holdon. Okay,girl.

Nowgotosleep,baby.

Thomas:Thegirlsarejustgettingtobed?

ClaraThomas:Twotonneighborupstairsnearlyburstthroughthe

boards.

Thomas: Imgonnahavetofixthat.

ClaraThomas:Areyougonnafixthefatman? Gethimtostop

holleringhisheadoff,whenthegirlsistryingtosleep?

Thomas:Tryadeviledegg.Theyrerealgood.

ClaraThomas:SeenbetterinNashville. Iwanttogohome,Viv.

Thomas:Clara,itsourfirstweek.

ClaraThomas:Yeah,andyousaidifwedidntlikeit,remember?

Thomas:Yes.

ClaraThomas:OurfamilysinNashville.Wehadanicehomeina

goodneighborhood.Theschoolswerefine.Notlivinginthis. I

dontknowhowweregonnamakeitonthatpaycheckhestalking

aboutandhegotyouservingdrinksathispartyjusttomakeends

meet.Comeon.

Thomas:Trytounderstand.WhenIstartedatVanderbilt. Iwasa

janitor.


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ClaraThomas:Iknow.

Thomas:Dr.BlalocksawwhatIcouldcontribute,andhegavemeachance.AndwhentheyofferedhimthatbigjobinDetroithedidnt

takeitbecausetheydidnttakeme.NowImalabassistanttoatop

surgeonatthenumberonemedicalschoolinthecountry. Anditsa

goodposition.

ClaraThomas: Andwhataboutyougoingtomedicalschool?

Thomas:Youdonthavetoremindmeofthat.Wehaveafamilynow. Sweetheart,itsimportantwork. Anditsarealopportunity,

andIlovewhatImdoing.

ClaraThomas:SoitdoesntreallymatterhowIfeelthen,doesit?

Thomas:Clara,youknowitmatters.

Scene:InthefoyerofJohnsHopkins

Blalock:Seethatman?ThatsJohnsHopkinshimself. SirWilliam

Osler,thefatherofmodernAmericanmedicine.WilliamHalstead,

inventedthemastectomy. Letmeshowyousomeoftheothers.

UniversityStaffMember:Excuseme. Allworkerspunchinatthe

rearentrance.

Blalock:Heswithme.

UniversityStaffMember:Thatdontmakeanydifference.

Blalock:DoyouknowwhoIam?


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18/63

Hecker:ImDr.EdgarV.HeckerDirectorofLaboratories. Idlike

somecoffeeandadoughnut.

Thomas:Doctor.Doctor. Theremustbeamixup.

Hecker:Listenyou,Idontstandforinsolence.Wellseeaboutthis.

Scene:WalkingtoWardswithDr.Taussig:

Thomas:Youknow,Doctor,therearentmany...

Taussig:What? Youllhavetospeakup,Icantheartoowellinthis

ear.

Thomas:YoureoneofthefewwomendoctorsIveseenhere.

Taussig:Atleasttheyletmeinthroughthefrontdoor. ...Thisis

wherewekeepsomeoftheolderkids.

Thomas:Doctor,whydotheysquatlikethat?

Taussig:Alittleboytoldmethatithelpshimbreathebetter. Itcuts

offthebloodtothelegs,pushesitupintothelungs.

Thomas:Theybothlookverycyanotic.

Taussig:Hereheisnow. Dr.Blalock.Welcome.

Blalock:Helen,sorry.

Taussig:HereistheSaxonbabyIwastellingyouaboutlastnight.

Mrs.Saxon:Sheusuallysmileswhensomeonedoesthat.


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Blalock:Hello,Mrs.Saxon.

Mrs.Saxon:Whatisthatthing?

Blalock:Itsanoximeter. Readshowmuchoxygenthereisinthe

blood.

Mrs.Saxon:Shelookscoldinthere.ButIcantholdher.Theysayit

isntgoodforher.Imnotevensupposedtolethercry.Howdoyou

keepababyfromcrying?Especiallyifyoucantholdher.


Taussig:Youcanseethechangeintheshapeandthesizeofthe

vesselsastheseheartsgrowlarger. Ididnecroscopiesonsomeof

mypatients hearts. Inordertostudythemalformationsindetail.

Blalock:Itsamazingtheycouldliveatallwithheartslikethese.

Taussig:Dr.GrossatHarvardsaidonlyGodcouldcorrecta

narrowingindentationoftheleftsideoftheaorticarch.

Blalock:PerhapsthatstatementsaysmoreaboutHarvardthanit

doesaboutGod.

Thomas:Thatbabybackthere,howlong?

Taussig:Sixmonths.Ayearattheverymost.

Blalock:Thatsnotright.

Taussig:Areyougoingtotakethison,Doctor?


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Blalock:Iwanttoseeallyourdiagnosticnotes.

Taussig:Illgetthemrightaway. Thankyou.


Blalock:Putawaythebooks,Vivien. Letsnotwasteanymoretime

ontheoreticalcrap.Letsstartwithexperiments. Fourseparate

defectsoftheheartworkingincombination. Thepulmonaryartery

isconstrictedinthemainarterybeforethedivide,diminishingbloodsupplytobothlungs.Andtheholeintheseptumcausesthe

usedbloodtoflowbackintothearterialsysteminsteadofflowing

throughthelungs,turningthebabiesblue.

Ababysheartisdelicate. Itsagoddamnminefield. Thefirststepis

toseeifwecancreatethe bluebaby conditioninadogandthen

comeupwithaplantosolveit.

Thomas:Youredrinkingtoomuchcoffee.

Blalock:Balzacdrank300cupsofcoffeeinoneday. Ofcourse,he

diedofaperforatedulcer.

Thomas:Oddsareagainstusreproducingthisinthelaboratory.

Areyousurethisisthelimbyouwanttoclimbouton?

Blalock:Backin 29whenIhadTB...thexraysshowedabiggaping

holeinmyleftlung.Ilaidthereonafreezingporchinasanatorium

inupstateNewYorkwith18blanketsonme.Nothingbutmynose

exposedtotheelements. Deathsaveryhumblingthingtolivewith

dayinanddayout. IsworethenifIgotmylifeback,Iwoulddo

somethingimportantwithit. Iknow,ineveryfiberofmybeingthat

thisisalimbIwanttoclimbouton.


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Blalock:Itsgonnabehelltryingtoworkwithachildsvesselsthreeorfourmillimetersthick.

Thomas:Likesewingovercookedspaghettinoodles.

Blalock:Wellneedthesmallestsutures.

Thomas:Wellneedtomakeourowntools.

Blalock:Wecouldbeinfortrouble,Vivien.

Thomas: Bigtrouble.

Page: Dr.AlfredBlalocktoOR,please.Blalock: Theyredrivingmecrazy. Thisgoddamnwar.Wedont

haveenoughdoctors.Mysurgerycasesarethroughtheroof. IfImnotoperating,Imteaching.Youregonnahavetodomostofthis

research.Whatllyouneed?

Thomas:Ineedabulldogclampsmallenoughforthebabybut

strongenoughtostoptheflowofblood.

Blalock:Whataboutabreathingdevice?

Thomas:IdloveaPositivePressureRespirator,butwiththiswar

goingon...

Blalock:Yeah,howinhellcanIdotheexperimentsifIcanteven

gettheequipment? Shutup.


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Scene:PlayingPool

Doctor1:YousurelypissedoffEdHecker.

Blalock:YoumeanIdisturbedhisafternoonnap?

Doctor2:Whatisitwithyouandthatboyofyours?Thomas.

Whydyoubringhimuphere?

Blalock:Wevebeentogethermorethan12years.Hesareallygood

worker. Howaboutalittlewager?

Doctor2:$50.00?

Doctor3:Givehimabreak,Dick.

Blalock: Youreon.

Doctor:Theresarumorgoingaroundyourecontemplatingheartsurgery.

Blalock:Thatsanintriguingrumor,dontyouthink?Wouldntitbe

afeatherinourcapifwewerethefirstonestodoit?

Doctor: Indeed,itwould.ButIhopeyoullforgivemyskepticism.

Thereisnoreasonforustothinkitspossible. Andeveryindicator

saysitcantbedone.

Doctor:Mostofusagree,Al,therisksarehuge. Thereisnteven

anyincrementalprogress.

Blalock:Whereyouseerisks,Iseeopportunity.


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Scene:Thomasreturninghome

Landlord:Yougottatakecareofthatsinkupin4B. Ithoughtyousaidyouweregonnafixthesesteps.

Thomas: Yes,forgiveme,Ivebeenverybusyatwork. ButIwill

gettoit.

Landlord:Thedealis$7.00offforoddjobseverymonth. Yougotta

pickupthepace.

Scene: Thomashome

WithalliedforcesfightingatCassinoGermanFieldMarshalKesselringhasearnedareputationasoneofourfew...Thomas: Thisisgood,sweetheart. Itsgotsomekicktoittonight.

ClaraThomas: Thesameaslastnight.Justputitonadifferentside

oftheplate.

Thomas: Sometimesitsbetterthenextday.

ClaraThomas: Ihopeso, causeguesswhat? Tomorrowitshasha

laking.

Thomas: Itshashalaqueentonight.

ClaraThomas: Icouldgetajob.

Thomas:Wholllookafterthegirls? IknowitsnotNashville. And

IknowIwouldntbeabletodowhatImdoingwithoutyou.My


24/63

fathertookcareofus,Illtakecareofyou. Andeverythingsgonna

bejustfine.Wellbejustfinehere.

ClaraThomas:Youreright.Wellbefinehere.


Blalock:Weregonnarunoutofdogsatthisrate,Vivien.Itsbeen

threemonths,andallImclosertoisretirement.

Thomas:Thingsmoveslowsometimes.Nomatterwhatyouwant.

Imgettingclose.Ivegot30%desaturation.

Blalock:Thatdogwasfaintlyblueatbest. Untilwegetthedogin

thesamestateasthebaby,wecantgoforward.Whatisthe

problem?

Thomas: EverytimeIconstrict,itkillsthedogs. Ivetriednylon,ligature,umbilicaltape,oxfacet.Weneedanewapproach.

Blalock:Okay,forgetconstriction. Tryapartiallobectomy.

Removebothlobesoftherightlung. Doanarteriestoveinsfistula

wherethemedialwalloftheaortaandthepulmonaryarteryadhere.

IllbeintheOR.

Thomas: Thatsaverygoodidea,Doctor.Thankyou.

Scene:IntheOR

Blalock: Goddamnit!


25/63

Doctor:Youdidthebestyoucould.Withtheconditionofhisliver,

youneverhadachance.

Blalock:Ialwayshaveachance. Getmehisautopsy.


Blalock:Shit. Damn. Whatsthat?

Thomas: Ournewrespirator. Iwasrummagingaroundthemachineshop. Itsnotpretty,butitworks.

Blalock:Itispretty. IknewIcouldcountonyou.Youretheonly

oneIcantrustaroundhere. Isuspectothersrelishthethoughtof

seeingmefail.

Scene:AttheBlalockhome

Blalock:Mary! Theresanambulanceinthedriveway.

MaryBlalock:Goodevening. Gen.Cunninghamneededhelp

cartingwoundedGIsofftheship. SoIvolunteeredtobeadriveron

thebase.

Blalock:Thatswonderful.

MaryBlalock:Notreally. Ivealotoftimeonmyhands.

Blalock:Shewouldntgotobed?


26/63

MaryBlalock:Notuntilyoucamehome. Youknowwhatshesaid

today? Shesaidshewantedtobeapatientwhenshegrowsup.So

shecangettoseeherdaddy.

Blalock:Idontrememberyouwearingatoolbeltatyourcoming

outparty. GuessithasbeenacoupleofweekssinceImadeithome

before11:00.

MaryBlalock:No,its23days.NotasifIdontknowthelotofa

doctorswifebutImissyou.

Blalock:Itsgonnachange.

MaryBlalock:Itsprobablygonnagetworse.


DrLongmire:HeyVivien.

Thomas:HeyDr.Longmire.

Dr.Longmire: IsDr.Blalockin?

Thomas:No,hesnot. Idontknowwhereheis. Youshouldcheck

hisoffice.

Longmire:Thatsaninterestingprocedure.Neverseenaclamplike

thatbefore.

Thomas: Itisforsmallvascularwork.

Longmire:Wheredyougetit?


27/63

Thomas: Ipiecedittogetherfromsomethingslyingaround.

Ahhhh.Nowweregettingsomewhere.

Longmire:Yourenotevenlooking.

Thomas: Itslikewhenyoucomehomelateatnight,youknow?

Youknowthefeeloftheroominthedark.

Longmire:Thatlooksimpossible.

Thomas:No,ifIcandoit,youcandoit. Yousee,thisstringherethatshowyougettractiononthesuturebecauseyouneedalotof

exposurefortheanastomosis.

Longmire:Idliketoworkwithyousometime.

Thomas: Fine,Dr.Longmire,thatdbefine.

Longmire:Myemergencyrotationstartsin10minutes,butIcancomeinonThursday.

Thomas: Thatdbefine.Youhaveagoodday,Doctor.

Scene:HaroldThomasvisitingBaltimore

Thomas:Harold?Whatareyoudoinghere?

HaroldThomas:Iwasintheneighborhood.

Scene:HaroldThomasandVivienThomaswalkinginthestreet


28/63

Thomas:SupremeCourt,finallymadeit. Alongtime.Youbeen

workingonthiscaseforwhat,nineyears?

HaroldThomas:No,12years.

Thomas: 12years? Time. So,tellme,whatwasitlike?

HaroldThomas:Well,ninewhiteguysinbiggownswalkedinfirst.

Thentheschoolboardlawyers. Ourlawyer,ThurgoodMarshall,he

lookedkindoflonelyinthere. Youknowwhatthempeoplesaidin

theirbrief? SaidsincecoloredteachersinNashvillelivesocheaplytheyshouldpayusawholelotlessthanwhiteteachers.

ButletmetellyouThurgoodsaidhedbegoddamnediftheycould

getawaywiththat. Sohegetsupandsaystothatwhitelawyer,

Yourefullofit.HaveyoueverreadtheConstitution? The

damned14thAmendment. Theequalprotectionclausesays: A

governmentcantdiscriminatebasedonrace. Yes,Lord.Imeanhe

wasgood,Viv. IthinkwegottheBoardofEducationontherun.

Thomas:Thatsgoodnews,Harold. Sowhenwilltheydecide?

HaroldThomas:Couldbemonths,longer. Idontknow,butIcan

wait. Afteralltheseyears. AllthosecallsIgotinthemiddleofthe

night.WhitefolktellingmetheygonnakillmeifIdontdropthis

lawsuit. No,yougottashowthemyouwonttakethattreatment.

Wait.ListentomewhenItellyou,youneedtoleavethissorryass

placeandthatdeadendjob.

Thomas:Harold,Dr.Blalocksdoingthebesthecanforme.

HaroldThomas:Itsnotenough.


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30/63

Officeworker:Itmeanssalarygrade.

Thomas: And,maam,andthishere?Whatsthis?

Officeworker:Jobclassification.

Thomas:Whatisclassthree?

Officeworker:Maintenanceworker.

Thomas:Imalabtechnician.Thatcantbe.

Officeworker:VivienThomas. Okay.Herewego. Vivien

Thomas,classthree. Thankyou.


Blalock:Howsitgoing?

Longmire:Thevesselstoleratingligation.

Blalock:Anyprogress? Ifyoukillthatdog,IswearIwilltakeitout

ofyourpaycheck.

Thomas:Imfinisheduphere. Dr.Longmire,wouldyoumind

closingupforme?Thankyou.

Blalock:Comeon,Vivien. Iwaskiddingabouttakingitoutofyour

paycheck.

Thomas:Goodluck. CauseIonlymake$16:00aweekfora16hour

day. Thatsalltheycanpay. Thatsalltheycanpayclassthree

workersaroundhere.


31/63

Blalock:Whatareyoutalkingabout?

Thomas:Thatsmyjobclassification.

Blalock:Whocareswhattheycallyou? YouandIbothknowhow

valuabletheworkisthatyoudo.

Thomas:Ifmyworkissoimportant,thenwhyamIclassthree?

TwogradesbelowwhatIdoinclassificationandpay.

Blalock:Idontknowwhy. Idontpayattentiontobureaucratic

details.

Thomas: Isee.

Blalock:Look,atHopkinsyoucantbeatechnicianwithouta

collegedegree. Andwhereareyougoing?

Thomas: Ineedtofixsomesteps.

Blalock:Wehaveworktodo.

Thomas:DoIhaveyourpermissiontodosomeworkformy

landlordsoIcanpaymyrent?

Longmire:Dr.Blalock,couldyoucomehere,please? Yourenot

gonnabelievethis. Lookattheoximeter. Thegumsareblue,

Doctor.Viviendidit.

Scene:AttheBlalockhome

MaryBlalock:Off,Alfred. Off,Alfred.


32/63

Blalock:IbroughthimuphereIgavehimthisopportunity.Idont

setthepayscale. IjustdontseewhatmoreIcando.

MaryBlalock:Youreprobablyfeelingguilty.

Blalock:Guilty?WhatthehelldoIhavetofeelguiltyabout?

MaryBlalock:Fornotsendinghimtocollege.

Blalock:YouthinkIshouldhavesentVivientocollege?

MaryBlalock:Sure,whynot?Toldmethatwashisdream. Even

mentionedittomeonce.

Blalock:YouknowIneedhiminthelab.

MaryBlalock:Iguesstheresonlysomuchgoodonepersoncando.

Congratulationsonthedog.

Scene:Atarestaurantwithhospitaladministrator

Hospitaladministrator:Thekindofraiseyouresuggesting,how

importantisthis?

Blalock:Hemakesitpossibleformetobeinmanyplacesatthe

sametime.

Hospitaladministrator:Cantyoujusthireawelltrainedcollege

kid.


33/63

Blalock:No,Icant.Hishandsareimportanttome.Hesgoodat

followingmyinstructions,improvingonthem,betterthananyone

Iveencountered.

Hospitaladministrator:Youwantmetocircumventevery

administrativeregulationonbehalfofacoloredhelper?

Blalock:Walter,Imclosetoaccomplishingsomething. Ineedhim

withmesoIcancontinuewithmyresearch. CanIcountonyour

help?

Scene:AttheThomashome

Blalock:Hello,Clara.

ClaraThomas:Dr.Blalock. Comein,sir.

Blalock:Thankyou. IsVivienathome?

ClaraThomas: Yes,hesputtingthekidsdown. Youknow,in13

years,Dr.BlalockIdontrecallyoueverstoppingbyourhouse.

Blalock:Idontrecalleverbeinginvited.

Thomas: Professor. Didsomethinghappen?

Blalock:Yes,Iobtainedaraiseforyou,$25extraamonthontopof

whatyourealreadymaking. Thats$300forthewholeyear.Will

thatbesufficient?

Thomas:Whatjobclassification?

Blalock: Surgicaltechnician.Igotyoupromoted.


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ClaraThomas:Promoted.Towhathealreadydoes.Excuseme.

Blalock:Youcanpayyourrentandputallyourfocusonour

research. Vivien,backthereinthelabwithPonchos,whatdidyou

do?

Thomas:Whatyousuggested.Apartialfistula.Istitchedthemain

arteriesandveinstogether,endtoendandtwolobesinthelungs.

Blalock:Wecreatedabluebabysheartinthatdog.

Thomas: Didwe?

Blalock:Nowwehaveourdiseasemodel,wecanfindacure. And

muchasIenjoyedcomingheretoseeyouwouldyoumindterribly

ifIgotyouatelephone?

Thomas:No,notatall. Thankyou.


Blalock:Ashunt.

Thomas: Imsorry,Doctor.Whatdyousay?

Blalock:Weneedtocreateashunttogetmoreoxygenatedbloodto

thelungs. Cantseehowtodoit.

Thomas: RememberbackinVanderbiltwhenweweredoingthe

researchonhowtocreatehighbloodpressureinthelungs?

Blalock:Yes,Iconnectedthesubclaviantothepulmonaryartery.


35/63

Thomas:Wefailedtogetthehigherbloodpressurebutwedidget

higherbloodflow.

Blalock:WhichisexactlywhatDr.Taussigsaidthesebabiesneed.

Thatsit.Webuildabypass. Takeanarteryandredirectit.

Thomas: Systemicarterytothepulmonaryartery.

Blalock: Throughthelungs.

Thomas: Itsalongwayaround,butitgetsyouthere.

Blalock:Ifweworkfromtherightside,wehaveanadvantagethere.

Thomas: Buttherecurrentnerveisinthewayandifwekinkthat...

Blalock: Vocalcordsparallel.

Thomas: Andthecarotidshere.

Blalock:Wemaykillthebrainifwedamagethat. Comforting

thought.

Thomas: Thesubclavian...Tieitoff. Afterthedivide. Cutitright

undertheclavicle. Swingitdown. Long,slowgeneralarc.

Blalock:Willitholdifwepullitdownfourinches?

Thomas: Ifyourhandsdontgettooexcited.

Blalock:Thankyouforthevoteofconfidence.


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37/63

Scene:InDr.Blalocksoffice

Blalock:Look,Mr.Saxon,Mrs.Saxon. Iacknowledgethattheseareunchartedwaters. Therearerisks. ButIthinkwehavefoundaway

torepairyourdaughtersheart.

Mr.Saxon:How?

Blalock:Yourestationed,where,Norfolk,isit,Mr.Saxon?

Mr.Saxon:Yes,sir. BeenworkingontheSpencer,tryingtogetherbackouttosea.

Blalock:Youworkontheengines,right?

Mr.Saxon:Yes,sir.

Blalock:Idbechangingaroundsomeofthepipingleadingtoand

fromyourdaughtersheart.

Mr.Saxon:Justswitchingaroundthepipes?

Blalock:Yes. Arteriesthatbringthebloodtoandfromtheheartto

thelungsactjustlikepipes. Ivebeensuccessful,switchingthem

around.

Mr.Saxon:Itsthateasy?

Blalock:No,itsnotthateasy.Nosurgeryisandthisoperationhas

specialcomplications. ButIstillthinkitsworthdoing.

Mr.Saxon:Weregoingtotalkaboutthis,Doctor.

Blalock:Goodidea.


38/63


Blalock:Itsgoingtobealotharderwithababy.Weregoingto

havetocollapseoneofherlungs. Shesalreadysocyanotic.Shes

notgettingenoughoxygenandweregoingtohavetotakeaway

halfofherlungfunction. Youmadethosenewclampsyet?

Thomas: Imworkingonit.

Blalock:WhatifIshredherinsideswiththoseclamps? Somanywaystofail. Everysecondcounts. Asingleminuteistoolong. A

singleminuteofpoorbloodflowtothebrainasinglesecondof

openbleeding

Scene:Atchurch

Mrs.Saxon:AreyousayingIshouldntallowthisdoctortoperformamiracletosavemybaby?

Priest:Wedontgettodemandmiracles.

Mr.Saxon:Honey,Godhashisplans.Maybewejusthavetoaccept

it.

Mrs.Saxon:ButIwassohappywhenIwaspregnantwithEileen.

Youknow,Ihaventhadenoughtime.WhycantGodletmegetto

knowherfirst? Imean,Idontwanttogoagainsthim.Butwhy

cantHisplanbetoletthisdoctorsaveherlife?

Scene:MinisterandProf.Blalock


39/63

Minister:Mrs.Saxontoldmeyouplantooperateonherbaby.

Haveyouseenthischild,Doctor?

Blalock:Icheckonhereveryday.

Minister:Andyourestillgoingtoproceed?Haveyouhadany

successinthelab?

Blalock:Absolutely.Isuccessfullyperformedashuntonadogjust

twoweeksago.

Minister:Icantimagineyouregoingtoproceedbasedonthe

laboratorysuccessonadog. Howmanypeoplehaveyousaved? So

whatyouretellingmeisyoureperforminganexperimentnotan

operation?

Blalock:MyinstinctstellmenaturemadeamistakeandIcanfixit.

WouldyouliketoseewhatIvebeendoing,Father? ...

Rightnowmyinstinctstellmeperhapsyoushouldcomeback

anotherday.

Minister:What?Yourquestforgloryisvain,arrogant.

Blalock:Ittakesarrogancetocutsomeonewithascalpeltosave

theirlife.

Minister:Ihavenodoubt.ButifyouintervenewithGodswill,

violatethepurityofaninnocenthearttheparents,notyou,Doctor,

willbeartheburdenofguilt.

Blalock:PerhapsGodis,asyousay,tryingtokillthischild.Iamnot.


40/63


Thomas: Lookatthis.Theshuntgaveout.

Blalock:Lookslikeatrainwreck.Whathappenedtoyou,Ponchos?

Thomas:Maybeweshouldjuststophere,Doctor.

Blalock:No.Weusingthewrongvessel?Whatthehellsgoingon?

Scene:AttheThomashome

ClaraThomas:Viv,getup.Wakeup.Itsokay. Itsokay,baby. Its

justanightmare.

Thomas:MyGod.


Blalock:Wherethehellhaveyoubeen,Vivien?

Thomas: Ihadadreamaboutthiswhitewomanlastnight.

Blalock:Perhapsthatssomethingbestkepttoyourself.

Thomas:No. IknewitwasEileenSaxon. Shewasallgrownup.

Shewassittingthereinacorner. Shewasknittingandsheletouta

babyvoiceandshefelloverdead. IcouldntseeitbutIknewonthe

insideshehadababyheart. Shejustfelloverdead.


41/63


42/63

Thomas: Pulltheinboundveinanastomosis. Long,slow,general

arc.

Blalock:Icantsee.Canyousee,Vivien? Couldyouadjustthat

lamp? Aretheclampsstillholding?

Thomas: Yes.

Blalock:Nokinking?

Thomas:None. Allright,nowforthetoughpart. Continuoussuturesonthebackwallinterruptedonthefront. ...Removing

bulldogclamp.

Blalock:Comeon,girl. Comeon,please. Thatsit,alittlebitmore.

Icanfeeltheflowtothelungs.Helen,telltheSaxonswellbe

operating.

Taussig:Youbet.

Scene:ThomasandBlalockinHopkinscourtyard

Thomas: Youllbeready.

Blalock:Yes,nowthatIveseenthemasteratwork.

Thomas:Masterofthehounds.

Blalock:Yourdaddyshouldbeproudofyou.

Thomas: Ithinkheis.


43/63

Blalock:MinewasonlyproudofthefactthatIcouldwigglemy

ears.

Thomas: Ithinkhellbeproudwhenyouoperate.

Blalock:Hesdead.

Thomas: Thedeadarewithusallthetime,Ibelieve. Cantseparate

thepastfromthefutureanymorethanyoucanyourrightarmfrom

yourleftarm.

Blalock:But,yousee,theyareseparatedbythis,bytheheart.

Thomas: Orconnected.

Blalock:Orconnected.

Scene:Lecturehall

Blalock:Nolitangere:Donottouch. Donottouchtheheart.Weare

gonnachallengethisancientdoctrinalmythinthishospital.Who

wantstoattend? Dr.Swedlin?Dr.Philmore? Dr.Cooley. AndDr.

Longmire. Thankyou.

Scene:Inahallway

Doctor:Youredanglingyourreputationoffacliff.

Blalock:Calmdown,Walter,thisisntgrandopera.

Doctor:Isntadoctorsfirsttenet: Donoharm?


44/63

Blalock:Whatareyousaying?

Doctor:Postponetheoperationuntilyouhavemoreexperience.

Blalock:Postponingmeanssigningthatbabysdeathwarrant. Iwill

notbetheonetodothat.

Doctor:Buttheyllruinyou.

Blalock:Walter,Imoperatingtomorrow.

Doctor:OhAl,yourerushingthisbecauseyoudontwanttoadmit

tothoseparentsthatyouspoketoosoon.

Scene:IntheBlalockhome

MaryBlalock:Youshouldcometobed.

Blalock:Itriedthat.

MaryBlalock:CanIgiveyouaridetothehospitaltomorrow?

Blalock:Thanks. Icouldusethelift. Idonttrustmyselfbehindthe

wheel.

MaryBlalock:Al,anybodywouldbenervous.

Blalock:Itsnotthat. Iwasjustthinkingaboutaremarkyoumade.

YousaidIusedtobewild,notjustambitious. ButIwonderifmy

ambitionhasntdrivenmewild.

Scene:IntheOR


45/63

Thomas: Dr.Taussig,Professor. Ijustwantedtowishgoodluckto

everyone.

Others:Thankyou,Vivien. Thanks,Vivien.

Blalock:Weregoingtoblockthatbabyspulmonaryarteryfor30

minutes.

Taussig:Aslongasherbloodpressuredoesntgobelow60Ithink

sheshouldbefine. Idontthinkshecansurvivemuchlowerthanthat. Isntthatright,Dr.Harmel?

Harmel:Notbelow.Thatsright,Doctor.

Doctor:Dr.Blalock,theyreready.

Taussig:Doctor.

Scene:Intheoperatingtheatre

Blalock:Dr.Longmire.

Doctor:Whatisgoingon?

Longmire:Theywontpagehim.

Blalock:Whynot?

Longmire:Somethingabouthospitalpolicy.

Blalock:PageVivienThomasimmediately.


46/63

Mr.Saxon:Dr.Blalock,whatswrong?Whatshappened?

Blalock:Itsallright. Iwonttellyouagain.Pagehim.

Nurse:Wereonlyallowedtopagedoctors.

Blalock: Givemethat,goddamnyou. VivienThomas,paging

VivienThomas. YourewantedinORrightnow. Comeontherun,

doyouhear? ThisisBlalock.

Scene:Inthecafeteria.

Thomas: Thankyou.

Cafeteriawork:Goodluck.

Scene:IntheOR

Mr.Saxon:Jesus.

Blalock:Abouttime.Scrubup.

Thomas: Scrubup?

Blalock:Yourecominginwithme....WouldyoufindMr.Thomas

somethingtostandon?

Thomas:Whatfor,Doctor?

Blalock:Youretalkingmethroughthis.Nowscrubup.

Doctor:Whatshedoinghere?


47/63

SecondDoctor:Whatthehellisthat? Illseeaboutthis.

Taussig:Shouldwesayaprayer?

Blalock:Forgetit.Hewontlistentome.

Doctor:Dr.Blalock,aword. Youcanresumeyourduties.

Blalock:Thesearehisduties. Canyouseenow?

Thomas: Yes,Doctor.

Blalock:Okay,Ithinkwerereadytostart. Okay,weregoingin.

MaryBlalock:Itsgoingtobeallright.Itllbejustfine. Shellbeall

right.

Blalock:Incisingthemediastinumpleurafromthemainleft

pulmonaryartery.

Thomas: Totheapexofthepleuralspace.

Blalock:Imdissectingthepulmonaryartery.

Thomas:Wellbackintothemediastinum. Thisallright,Vivien?

Thomas: Thatlooksfine.

Blalock:Therightangleclamp. Okay,Ithinkitsholding.


48/63

Thomas: Areyouabletodelivertotheleftsubclavianartery?

Blalock:Ibelieveso.Bloodpressure?

Taussig: 70falling.

Blalock:Donotmovethatlight. AndnowImdividingthe...

Thomas: Careful.

Blalock:Clampit.

Longmire:Icantreachit,Doctor.

Blalock:Igotit.Hemorrhagecontrolled.

Thomas: Canyousee,Doctor?

Blalock:Notreally.Nurse. Forgoodnesssake,cantyouevensee

myears?

Nurse:Sorry,Doctor.

Blalock:Suture.

Taussig:Bloodpressureis68.

Blalock:Yes,goon.

Thomas:Watchthecarotid. Yes,tractiononthesuture.

Blalock:Okay,nowtheclampVivienmade.


49/63

Nurse:Whatclamp?

Thomas: Theonejustthere. Rightthere,yes.

Blalock:Wereabouttoconnecttheshunt.

Taussig:Bloodpressureis60.No,59.

Blalock:Iknow,Imalmostthere.Nowfront,interrupted.

Thomas: Thatsgood,Doctor.Justalittlemorenow.

Blalock:Removingthebulldogclamp.

Thomas: Iseesomebleedingright...

Blalock:Iknow,Iseeit,too.Suture.

Thomas:No,Doctor,theotherway.

Blalock: Yes.

Thomas: Good,yougotitnow.

Blalock:Bleedingcontrolled. Impalpatingtheconnection.

Thomas:Whatdoyoufeel?

Blalock:Icanttellifbloodisflowingthroughtheshunt.Itsjusttoo

smalltofeelanything.

Dr.Harmel:Dr.Blalock,youhavetoseethis.

Blalock:MyGod.


50/63

Dr.Taussig:Herbloodpressureisrising.

Blalock:Evacuatethebloodinthechestcavity. Putinthechesttube.

Areweinflatingtheleftlungwithoxygen? Readyforclosure.

Scene::OutsidetheOR

Doctor:Whowouldhavethoughtitpossible?Heartsurgery.And

wediditrighthereinJohnsHopkins.

Saxons:Thankyou,Dr.Blalock. Thankyousomuch.

MaryBlalock:Iknewyoucoulddoit.

Doctors:Someoperation. Amazing. Thatchildschanceswereso

slim. Tookahellofasurgeontopullherthrough.

Hewasluckytohavethatniggerintherewithhim

Thomassuresavedhisass.Idliketoseehimtryitwithouthim.


Blalock:Youdidwellinthere,Vivien.

Thomas:Thankyou.Youperformedanexcellentsurgery,Doctor.

Blalock:Yes.IthinkIdid.

Scene::JohnsHopkinslobby


51/63

Taussig:Please,Iunderstand.Thisisahospital.Canyouplease

keepyourvoicesdown?Icanunderstandhowyouallmustfeelbut

wehavebeenoverwhelmedwithchildrenfromallacrossthecountryandthentheresjustonedoctortoperformtheseoperations.

Soifyoucouldjustgototheadministrationofficetheyll

accommodateallofyouintoDr.Blalocksscheduleassoonas

possible.

Allright?Imterriblysorry.

Scene:IntheOR

Blalock:Makingthefirstincision. Areyouthere,Vivien?

Thomas: Yes,Imhere.

Scene:OutsidetheOR

Doctor:Thankyoufortheopportunitytoobserve,Dr.Blalock.

Blalock:Itsanhonor,Doctor.

Taussig:Onceagain,excellentwork,gentlemen.

Blalock:Thankyou,Helen.MayIintroducemycolleagues. Dr.

HelenTaussig,VivienThomas.

ThisisDr.Craford,fromStockholm andDr.Petrovskyfrom

Leningrad.

Doctor:Honoredtomeetyou. Youhavegivensurgeonsaroundthe

worldgreatcouragewithyourdeeds.


52/63

Blalock:Comingfromsuchaneminentsurgeonasyourself,thatisa

compliment,indeed.

Doctor:Itsbeenagreatpleasuretomeetyou,Dr.Taussig.

Taussig:Thankyou.

Doctor:Dr.Thomas.

Thomas: CallmeMr.Thomas,orVivien.

VisitingDoctor:Yourenotadoctor?

Thomas:No,IjustworkherewithDr.Blalock.

Scene:Photoshoot

Photographer:Canwepleasehaveallthedoctorswhoparticipated

inthe bluebaby operationinthisshot?

Thomas:TheresayoungwomanwhohitchhikedfromAppalachia

withherson. AndIthinkhisbloodlevelsmaybelowenoughto

test.

Blalock:TalktoDr.Taussigaboutschedulinghimin.

Photographer:Ifyoudallturnandfacethecenter,please,likeDr.

Longmire.

Blalock:Helen.


53/63


54/63


55/63

Blalock:Me?WhathaveIeverdoneexceptfightinyourcorner? I

havetakenyoueverystepofthewaywithmeandnowyouwantto

throwallthataway? Forwhat? Isthatanywaytoshowyourgratitude?

Thomas:Idontknow.Youtellme,Doctor.

Blalock:Vivien,takeprideinthefactyouhavepowerinyourmind

andinyourheart.

Thomas:Andinmyhands.

Blalock: Exactly,inyourhands.Wemadehistorytogether.We

changedtheworld.

Thomas:Theworld. Iminvisibletotheworld. Idontmindthat. I

understandthat. Ithoughtitwasdifferentinhere.

Scene:Collegeadmissionsoffice

Collegeadministrator:Mr.Thomas,Imalittleconfused.Nowyou

wantcollegecreditforMorganStatewithoutactuallytakingclasses?

Thomas:Incertaincourses,yes. Illtakethetest.Illtakefinals.

Chemistry,Biochemistry,Science,Physics. Also,Icangetthecredit

formaterialIalreadyknow. Ineedtogetthroughcollegealittle

morequicklysoIcangetontomedschool.

Collegeadministrator:Andsoyouactuallyparticipatedinallthis

groundbreakingresearch,Mr.Thomas?

Thomas:Yes,Idid.


56/63

Collegeadministrator:Imafraiditjustdoesntworklikethat.

YoullhavetostartwithFreshmanEnglish.SocialScience,maybe.

Thomas:Idonthavetimeforthat.Im35yearsold. Youresaying

thatIhavetostartatthebeginning?

Collegeadministrator:Yes,Mr.Thomas. Imafraidthatisinfact

whatImsaying.

Thomas:Ithoughtthisinstitutionprovidedopportunityforcolored

people?Ihaveawife,twoyoungdaughters,son. AndIvebeenworkinginmyfieldforoverfifteen. Almost15yearsnow. Imfrom

Nashville,Icame...

Scene:Doctorsoffice

Doctor:AndwhatcanIdoforyou?

Thomas:MynameisVivienThomas. IworkfortheRalph

Winthamcompany.Wehavealineofpharmaceuticals,particularly

antacids.

Doctor:Wealreadyhaveasupplierofantacids.

Thomas:Yes,well,theseantacidsblockagainstgastroesophageal

refluxwithoutanyadversesideeffects...

Doctor:VivienThomas. Thefellowwiththebluebabies? Apatient

ofminewhoworksatthehospitaltoldmeaboutyou.Hopkinsis

doingwellbecauseofwhatyoudidforthemandhereyouare.

Thomas:Idonthaveanythingagainstthehospital.Imjustworking

inmedicineinadifferentwaynow.


57/63

Doctor:Letsseewhatotherlinesyouhave.

Thomas:Yes,wehaveeffervescentpowderhere...

Scene:AtthehomeofThomas parents

Mother:Oh,William,lookwhoshere?Hello.

ClaraThomas: SayhitoGrandma.

Mother:Mygoodness.

Father:Howyoudoing,sweetheart?Lookathim.

ClaraThomas:Stoprunning.Goupandwashyourhands.Andyou

bringyourlittlesisterdown.

Thomas: Andbecarefulonthemsteps. Whataboutconstruction?

Father:Ikeepaskinghim. ThomasandThomas.Withthebuilding

boom,wecouldcleanup.

HaroldThomas:Now,heknowIcantsawaplankworthadamn.

Thomas:Yeah,thatsthetruth.

HaroldThomas: Yeah,Dad.

Thomas: Ididseethatmailboxleaningtothesidealittlebit.

ClaraThomas: Idontunderstandwhyyouquitteachinginthefirst

place.


58/63

HaroldThomas: Ineverreallylikedtheclassroomthatmuch,Clara.

Toomanykids.

ClaraThomas: Butyoufoughtallthoseyears,andyouwonthe

case,so...

Mother:Exactly. Andquittingnowmeansyouvejustwasteda

wholelotoftime.

Thomas:NoIdontthinkitsawasteoftime. IfHaroldwasntdowntheredoingwhathewasdoingtheredstillbealotofcolored

teachersdowntheregettingcheated. Ithinktheyoughttonamea

schoolafterhim.

HaroldThomas:Yeah.HaroldThomasHigh.

Thomas:HaroldThomasHigh.

All:Hear,hear.

HaroldThomas:No,mostoftheseyoungteachers,theydontknow

anythingaboutthatstrike. Theytaketheirequalpaycheckfor

granted.

Father:Harold,yourefullofexcuses. Theresnopointinwaiting

fortheworldtothankyou. Thatbusaintnevergoingtocome.

Mother:Amentothat.

HaroldThomas: Imnotwaiting,Pop. Imjustlookingfor

somethingthatexcitesmeasmuchashammeringnailspleasesyou.


59/63

Scene:Ontheporch

ClaraThomas:Viv,Jeopardyison.

Thomas: Illbeininaminute.

ClaraThomas: Youokay?

Thomas: Imfine.Stomachsbotheringmealittlebit,butImfine.

ClaraThomas:Whydontyoutakeoneofthemfancyantacidpillsthatyoualwaysbragabout? Itsyourbrother?

Thomas:Imisshim.ImisstheoldHarold. Seemsalittlelostnow.

ClaraThomas:Imissyou.

Thomas:Stillgotmymindinthatlab.

Mrs.Thomas:Itsnotjustyourmind,Viv. Itsyourheart,too.

Thomas:IdontknowwhatImsupposedtodo,Clara. IthinkIve

embarrassedmyselfenough. Icantgobackintherewithmytail

betweenmylegs.

Mrs.Thomas:Itswhereyoubelong,VivienThomas. Sohowyou

walkbackoninthere,well,thatsuptoyou.

Scene:Blalocksoffice

Blalock:Yes?

Thomas:Doctor.Goodmorning.HowwasyourtriptoEurope?


60/63

Blalock:Itwasverygratifyingandhowwellitseemstohavestood

onitsfeetforthismomentintime.WhatcanIdoforyou,Vivien?

Thomas:IvemadeamistakeandIwouldlikemyoldpositionback.

Blalock:Andhowsitgoingtobeanydifferent? Imstillthesame

selfrighteousbastard.

Thomas:Itsnotaboutyou. Itsaboutthework. Ilikethework.


Student:Mr.Thomas,wevegotananimalgoingintoshockhere.

Whatdowedo,sir?

Thomas:Didyoutryclampingoffthelateralpartoftheatrium?

Student:Yeah,holditrightthere. Careful. Okay.

Thomas:Yeah.Youhandledyourselfwellthere,Doctor. Thats

good.

Student:Thankyou.

Scene:Thomasoffice

Secretary:Therewasamessageforyou,Mr.Thomas. Dr.Blalock

wantedtoseeyou.

Thomas: Imsorry.Wouldyou...TellhimIllseehim...


61/63

Secretary:Hesabouttoleavefortheday.

Thomas:Honey,Ihavetocallyouback.Okay.

Scene:Inanelevator

Blalock:Howsyourgirls?

Thomas: Theyrefine.Theyredoingwell. TheosinMorganState

now.

Blalock: Thatmustfeelgood.

Thomas: Yes.Howarethingswithyou?

Blalock:Ivehadtheunfortunateexperienceofbeingputinthe

handsofasurgeon.

Thomas:Youhavesomethingonyourmind,Doctor?

Blalock:Yes,ColumbiasbeendanglinganoffertoteachbutI

wantedtotalktoyoufirst. Ireallywouldlikeyoutocomewithme.

Theyknowaboutyourwork. Youcouldwriteyourownticket. Its

hardtoimaginebeingtherewithoutyou.

Thomas:Ithankyouforthinkingofme,Doctor. IthinkIshould

stayhere.

Blalock:Wecoulddogreatthingsthere.Wouldntitbefuntodoit

onemoretime?


62/63

Thomas: Onemoretime. IlikewhatImdoing. Teaching,helping

peoplealong.Workingwiththeyoungdoctors. Ilikeithereat

Hopkins.

Blalock:Yeah,Iguessyougotyourownthingsgoingonherenow.

Thomas: Irecognizethisman.Manlooksverydistinguishedup

there.

Blalock:Thankyou,Vivien.

Thomas: Thatwasawhileago.

Blalock: Yeah.Imfeelingtheyearsnow.

Thomas: Yes.Weallarenow.

Blalock:Youknow,Vivientheysayyouhaventreallylivedunless

youhavealottoregret. Iregret...Ihavesomeregrets. ButIthinkweshouldremembernotwhatwelostbutwhatwevedone. Allthe

liveswesaved,andwedid.Wesavedplenty,didntwe,Vivien?

Thomas:Yes,wedid. Yeswedid.

Blalock:No.

Scene:Onthetelephone

Taussig:Vivien,itsHelen.ImsorrytotellyouthatDr.Blalock

passedawayinhissleeplastnight.Weseedeatheveryday.It

doesntmakeitanyeasier,doesit? Imverysorry.

Scene:LectureHall


63/63

Taussig:Today,wehonorsomeonewhonevertookacoursein

medicalschoolandstillbecameoneofourgreatestteachersofmedicine.Thisindividualhelpedchangethewayweunderstand

howthehumanheartworksforever.

AndnowImhonoredtoread: TheBoardofRegentsofthis,the

JohnsHopkinsUniversityinconsiderationofaninnovativescientist,

anoutstandingteacher,andaskilledclinicaltechnician hasthis

dayawardedthishonorarydoctorate toMr.VivienThomas.

Congratulations,Dr.Thomas.

Thomas: Thankyou,Dr.Taussig.

Imnotaccustomedtobeinginthelimelight.Sobeingplacedinthe

positionIfindmyselfinnowmakesmequitehumbleandalittle

proud.WhenIputmyhammerandsawdown40yearsagoand

wasofferedanopportunitytoworkwithayoungsurgeon,IhadnoideathatIdbeabletomakeamarkonaninstitutionasprestigious

asthisone.

IhadnoideathatIwouldhaveanycontributiontomaketo

medicinethatwouldmeritthistypeofrecognition. Isimplysay

thankyoutoallofmyfamilyandallofmyfriendswhoarehereand

toallofmyfriendswhocouldnotbehere.Ithankyouverymuch.

Taussig: Thisisalsoaspecialoccasiontomarktheunveilingof

yourlikeness,Vivien.

Scritpt - Quase Deuses

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