Vail Chapter XVI - “OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW” BRADLEY SIMPSON, A VAIL,COLORADO ORTHOPEDIST WITH TRAUMA RESEARCH INTEREST, LOST HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, MEGYN. SHE DIED FROM METASTATIC GYNECOLOGIC CANCER LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY THE COUPLE WERE ABLE TO CONCEIVE, AND THE FIRST EVER FETAL TRANSPLANT AT AN ADVANCED PREGNANCY WAS COMPLETED BY TRANSFER TO HER SURROGATE TWIN SISTER, MICKY. BRADLEY UNDERSTANDABLY HAS BEEN VERY DEPRESSED SINCE MEGYN DIED. MICKY HAS TRIED TO CHEER HIM UP IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE TO NO AVAIL. MICKY HAS OBVIOUS DESIGNS ON BRADLEY WHO HAS SHOWN ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER. MICKY AND BRADLEY HAVE A TENTATIVE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT BRADLEY SIMPSON II WILL BE SHARED AS NEEDED BETWEEN MICKY AND BRADLEY. BRADLEY HAS SOLE CUSTODY BY LAW, AND MICKY WAS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED AS ONLY A SURROGATE MOM DURING PREGNANCY. BRADLEY DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO COURT AFTER MEGYN’S DEATH TO FULLY ENFORCE THE CONTRACT BETWEEN MICKY AND BRADLEY. THE FETAL TRANSPLANT CONTRACT SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT MICKY WAS NOT A PARENT, HAD NO RIGHTS TO BRADLEY SIMPSON II AND THAT ANY CONTACT WITH THE CHILD WAS TO BE WITH THE PERMISSION OF MEGYN AND BRADLEY. IN THE LIKELY EVENT OF MEGYN’S DEATH, SOLE CUSTODY WAS TO DR.BRADLEY SIMPSON, THE FATHER. DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE MICKY FROM HIS LIFE, BRADLEY HAS MISERABLY FAILED. THOUGH MEGYN’S DEATH WAS ANTICIPATED, BRADLEY HAD NO IDEA THAT MICKY WOULD BECOME THIS ATTACHED TO BOTH HIM AND THE BABY, BRADLEY SIMPSON II. BRADLEY REMAINS DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE MEDICAL RESEARCH GRANT MONEY INVOLVING HIS STMOR (SIMPSON MOBILE TRAUMA OPERATING ROOM). MONEY HAS BEEN CONTINUING TO FLOW TOWARDS BRADLEY AND VAIL HOSPITAL FOR THE STMOR. BRADLEY’S RESEARCH TEAM HAS BECOME QUITE PRODUCTIVE, AND HIS RESEARCH TRAUMA INTERESTS, PRESTIGE, AND TRAUMA ADVANCEMENTS THROUGH VAIL HOSPITAL ARE BECOMING KNOWN WORLDWIDE. THE REAL DILEMMA OCCURS WHEN BRADLEY (AFTER MONTHS OF BEING VERY SINGLE) MEETS A JEWISH GIRL VISITING HER PARENTS. FOLLOW ALONG AS THE HIGH END MEDICAL DRAMA “VAIL” KEEPS MOVING ALONG WITH A FEW SURPRISES. INT. SIMPSON HOUSE IN EAST VAIL: 2
BRADLEY
OK MICKY, I THOUGHT WE DISCUSSED THIS VERY SUBJECT LAST WEEK!
MICKY
YES WE DID-BUT NOT COMPLETELY!
BRADLEY
THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO SAY. I HAVE A NANNY I PAY WHETHER SHE IS HERE OR NOT. WE ARE TO LIVE SEPARATELY. YOU MAY VISIT BRAD II WHEN YOU WANT–EVEN THOUGH I MAY STOP IT AT ANYTIME BY THE CONTRACT WE AGREED UPON PRIOR TO HIS BIRTH. REMEMBER WE BOTH SIGNED THE CONTRACT.
MICKY
YES I DO REMEMBER. IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE ONCE YOU DELIVER BRAD II AND MEGYN IS GONE. LET’S DISCUSS 9 MONTHS OF BREAST FEEDING; AND THEN I’M DUMPED! AND WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE NIGHT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO? YOU ARE NOT THINKING CORRECTLY!
BRADLEY
I’VE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT ONE NIGHT. WE BOTH HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK AT THE HUBCAP. IT WAS MY ENTIRE FAULT.
MICKY
OK, I GET ALL THAT. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME SINCE I’M IDENTICAL IN EVERY WAY TO MEGYN, THEN I SHOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE SUB.
BRADLEY
WHOA! ONE NIGHT DOESN’T MAKE A MARRIAGE.
MICKY
I FIGURED IT WAS JUST THE START OF OUR RELATIONSHIP. OUR RELATIONSHIP HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MEGYN. I AM THE MOTHER OF BRAD II. FRANKLY I MAY EVEN LOVE YOU MORE THAN MEGYN EVER DID.
BRADLEY
BUT IT’S NOT RECIPROCAL. IT IS A LOVE IMBALANCE. CLEARLY I HAVE NO DESIRE FOR A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP OF ANY KIND WITH YOU MICKY. NONE!
MICKY
I GET THAT ALSO. I HAVE LITTLE MONEY AFTER THE FETAL TRANSPLANT AND DELIVERY. YOU HIRED ME AS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT TEMPORARILY. HECK, SOME AT THE
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HOSPITAL THINK IT’S A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR US TO FALL IN LOVE AND MARRY.
BRADLEY
NO WAY. I HAVE NO DESIRE FOR A RELATIONSHIP OF ANY KIND IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WHAT ABOUT YOUR RUDOLPH?
MICKY
RUDOLPH IS GONE. HE MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY. WE ARE NOT TALKING, AND THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, WEDDING OR TWEETS. SO.........
BRADLEY MICKY
SO YES I’M AVAILABLE AND WANT A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, KIDS, SWING SETS, DIAPERS, PTO, TRAINING WHEELS...........I ALREADY KNOW YOU AND I CAN HAVE BABIES, AND PROBABLY A BUNCH OF THEM. MAYBE I’LL JUST LEAVE FOR A BIT AND YOU’LL COME RUNNING.
BRADLEY
I’M SORRY MICKY. I JUST DON’T SEE IT. I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH FOR MEGYN AND ME.
MICKY
YES YOU CAN BRADLEY SIMPSON I. YOU CAN JUST ASK FOR MY HAND IN MARRIAGE AND THEN WE’LL BE EVEN. I KNOW THAT PROBABLY WON’T HAPPEN. I’M NOT WASTING MY TIME. IN FACT, I WON’T BE IN TOMORROW. WHY NOT?
BRADLEY MICKY
I’LL BE PACKING MY BAGS AND CAR FOR DAVENPORT, IOWA. I’M HEADING BACK HOME. IT’S TOO MUCH FOR ME TO HANG IN VAIL. THERE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE GUYS. I ALREADY TRIED TO WORK WITH A NICE GUY-EVEN CARED FOR HIM ENOUGH TO LIVE WITH THE DRUG PROBLEMS. NOW AFTER BEING A SUPERB SURROGATE I’M DUMPED AGAIN. BUT IT WAS NEVER TO WORK. I PROBABLY WILL BE A SINGLE GAL THE REST OF MY LIFE. I’LL COPE.
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BRADLEY
I’LL MISS YOU IN WAYS THAT YOU WERE A MOM TO BRAD II. I’M JUST NOT INTERESTED NOW IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY FEMALE, AND I’M SORRY FOR THAT.
MICKY
I’M OUT OF HERE, BUT JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU THAT MEGYN HAS DIED. MEGYN SIMPSON, YOUR WIFE AND MY SISTER, IS NOT COMING BACK EVER! WE ALL NEED TO MOVE ON. I’VE TRIED ENDLESSLY TO GET YOU OUT OF THIS DEPRESSIVE FUNK THAT YOU ARE IN–BUT TO NO AVAIL. I’M EXHAUSTED. YOU NEED PROZAC, CELEXA, CYMBALTA...TAKE YOUR PICK.
BRADLEY
YES I REALIZE I’M DOWN A BIT, AND HAVE BEEN TOTALLY LOST IN THE RESEARCH. BUT US HAVING A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP OR MARRYING, MICKY, IS NOT IN THE CARDS. I DON’T SEE IT. SO LONG. GOOD BYE.
MICKY
FADE OUT: FADE IN: DR. BRADLEY SIMPSON HOSTS A CONTINGENT OF PHYSICIANS FROM CHINA. THE SETTING IS A TRAUMA RESEARCH WING ATTACHED TO VAIL HOSPITAL. BRADLEY IS DEMONSTRATING SOME NEW SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, PERCUTANEOUS (THROUGH THE SKIN) METHODS OF SURGICAL TREATMENTS, SMALL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, COMPUTERIZED SURGICAL ROBOT AND A SMALL EXPANDABLE MOBILE TRAUMA SURGICAL ROOM. DR.SIMPSON’S STMOR (SIMPSON TRAUMA MOBILE OPERATING ROOM) IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING VIRTUALLY ANY TYPE OF SURGICAL CASE. THE STMOR IMMEDIATELY TRAVELS POST TRAUMA TO THE PATIENT, SPEEDING UP THE TRAUMA RECOVERY AND DECREASING COMPLICATIONS. THE MOBILITY HAS BEEN FURTHER ENHANCED BY JAPANESE AUTO MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE EQUIPPED THE MOBILE UNIT WITH SOLAR POWERED BATTERIES, BACK UP GENERATORS AND THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL IN ANY WATER OR MOUNTAIN TERRAIN. THIS IS NOT DISSIMILAR TO A MODERN DAY COMPUTERIZED VERSION OF THE “DUCK,” AN AMPHIBIOUS LANDING VEHICLE USED FOR TROOP LANDINGS IN WWII.
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BRADLEY
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ANESTHESIA HAS BEEN MADE QUITE SIMPLE WITH OUR VAIL ANESTHESIOLOGISTS CONTRIBUTING SOME INTRIGUING ASPECTS TO THE OVERALL CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT. THESE TRAUMA PATIENTS IN SUMMIT AND EAGLE COUNTY ARE EVERYWHERE—ON THE SLOPES, IN LAKES, AND IN THE BACK COUNTRY. WE HAVE THE ABILITY IN FACT TO TREAT FOUR PATIENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN OUR STMOR. THE MOBILE TRAUMA UNIT WILL BE USED BY MANY COUNTRIES IN TIME OF WAR OR NATURAL DISASTERS.
DR. PING
OK, I SEE ALL OF THIS AND WALK AWAY COMPLETELY IMPRESSED BY THE SIMPLICITY OF THE STMOR. YET DESPITE THE SIMPLE DESIGN, THE SIMPSON UNIT IS QUITE A HIGHLY FUNCTIONING QUICK RESPONSE TRAUMA UNIT. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE GOLDEN HOUR AFTER INJURIES BEFORE COMPLICATIONS AND DEATH OCCURS IS NOW BEING REPLACED BY HIGHER STANDARDS-MINUTES WITH THE RESPONSE TIME AND DEFINITIVE TREATMENT.
BRADLEY
YES, TREATMENT IN THE FIELD IS WHERE IT IS AT. INTERVENE AND HEAL THE PATIENT PRIOR TO ACIDOSIS, SHOCK, SEPSIS OR INFECTION BEGINS. THIS ISN’T FOR EVERYONE, BUT IT CAN BE QUITE USEFUL TO AVERT EXTENSIVE BLOOD LOSS AND SHOCK. I PREDICT MANY PATIENTS WILL LIVE NOW THAT FORMERLY DIED FROM TRAUMA.
DR. PING
I REALLY LIKE THE FINE TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF THE OPERATING ROOM. THE ANESTHESIA IS GREAT WITH INTUBATION EQUIPMENT COMING FROM THE CEILING. THE BUILT IN ANESTHESIA MACHINE MAKES SO MUCH SENSE ECONOMICALLY. TECHNICALLY YOU COULD OPERATE AND DO THE ANESTHESIA SINCE THEY ARE SO INTERWOVEN IN THE STMOR.
BRADLEY
CORRECT, HOWEVER I’D SURELY LIKE TO HAVE TRAINED ANESTHESIA PERSONNEL ON BOARD WHEN WE TRAVEL TO THE BACK COUNTRY. THE STMOR IS THE REAL THING. IT’S NOT JUST FOR STABILIZATION OF THE PATIENT. IT’S TOTAL CARE OF THE TRAUMA PATIENT.
DR. PING
PHYSICIANS CAN EVEN PERFORM EMERGENCY NEUROSURGERY WITH THE INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE. BLOOD IS REGULARLY SUPPLIED WITH SOME TYPE SPECIFIC AND O 6
NEGATIVE BLOOD AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. RESEARCH SYNTHETIC BLOOD IS ALSO AVAILABLE. ALL THE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT FOR ANY MEDICAL TRAUMA CONDITIONS IS IN THE STMOR. WE CAN EASILY REPAIR AN ARTERY OR DELIVER A BABY WITH A C SECTION.
BRADLEY
YES, WE HAVE LEFT NOTHING OUT WITHIN THE DESIGN. THE COSTS HAVE ALSO BEEN CONTROLLED TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE WORLDWIDE.
DR. PING
DOES YOUR COUNTRY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU SELLING IT TO THE PRC?
BRADLEY
NO. IN FACT THROUGH THE UN THE US WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS AS A GESTURE OF GOOD WILL. WE ALL WILL BE INVOLVED IN CONFLICTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS.
DR. PING
I CAN SEE CHINA NEEDING HUNDREDS OF STMORs. WILL THE PARTS BE READILY AVAILABLE IF THE UNIT HAS PROBLEMS?
BRADLEY
ALL PARTS HAVE A READY SUPPLY BASED HERE IN VAIL. THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE ALL AGREED TO HAVE BACK UP PLANS DUE TO THE CRITICAL NATURE OF THE STMOR. OUR MOBILE TRAUMA UNIT IS BASED ON ADAPTABILITY, READINESS, AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE.
DR. PING
WE HAVE MANY NATURAL DISASTERS IN CHINA WITH FLOODS, RAIN, TORNADOES, AND EARTHQUAKES. ONE HAS ONLY TO REMEMBER THE TSUNAMI THAT HIT ONLY PART OF CHINA BUT MOST OF JAPAN LAST YEAR. THE ABILITY TO BE USED ON LAND AND WATER IS INCREDIBLE.
BRADLEY
AND THE MOBILE TRAUMA UNIT CLIMBS MOUNTAIN TERRAIN OF THE STEEPEST GRADE. THE STMOR DOESN’T FLY, BUT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT.
DR. PING
AND IT CONTAINS ALL THE SEARCH AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT WE NEED TO GET TO TRAUMA VICTIMS?
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BRADLEY
ABSOLUTELY, OUR MOBILE TRAUMA UNIT CONTAINS HELMETS, ROPES, HARNESSES AND ALL THE CLIMBING EQUIPMENT. ADDITIONALLY WE MAINTAIN INFLATABLE RAFTS AND KAYAKS, COMPASSES, BACKPACK, FOOD, IV SUPPLIES, WATER, RESCUE EQUIPMENT INCLUDING NETS, AND HYPOTHERMIA REVERSAL WITH MULTIPLE WARMING DEVICES.
DR. PING
WE HAVE BEEN TALKING CONSIDERABLY WITH OUR GOVERNMENT IN BEJING. THEY WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO MOVE TO CHINA, PERFORM RESEARCH WITHIN CHINA, BECOME A CHINESE CITIZEN, AND BE PAID AS MUCH AS A SUPERSTAR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IN AMERICA.
BRADLEY
WOW! THANK YOU FOR YOUR OFFER. WE JUST HAD A BABY AND...............
DR. PING
OH YES, WE KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR BABY. WE READ THE VAIL NEWSPAPERS AND THE NOTER DAME ALUMNI BULLETINS. WE HAVE KEPT TRACK OF YOU DR. SIMPSON.
BRADLEY
I’M VERY HUMBLED BY YOUR OFFER, HOWEVER I MUST.........
DR. PING
LET ME INTERRUPT DR. SIMPSON. WE HAVE MANY THINGS WORKED OUT IF YOU DECIDE TO COME TO CHINA. YOU WILL HAVE A HOUSE, CAR, BICYCLE, ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT, PREFERRED CITIZENS STATUS, SPORTING EVENTS, MULTIPLE LEVELS OF CARE AT YOUR HOUSE INCLUDING WOMEN FOR MASSAGES, CLEANING, TRANSPORTATION, CHAPERONES, COOKING, AND ANY NECESSARY MATERIAL THING YOU MAY EVER NEED. YOUR SON BRAD II WILL BE IN A SCHOOL OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
BRADLEY
RIGHT NOW I’LL HAVE TO SAY NO. I HAVE A COMMITMENT TO VAIL HOSPITAL. I HAVE INVESTMENTS IN MONEY, TIME, AND ASSOCIATES’ CAREERS. I WOULD BE DUMPING MY COWORKERS WHO HELPED ESTABLISH OUR TRAUMA RESEARCH CENTER HERE IN VAIL FOR MORE MONEY.
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DR. PING
CHINA HOWEVER WOULD BRING PRESTIGE, FAME, GROWING YOUR FAMILY, AND EVEN GET YOU OUT OF YOUR DEPRESSION. THIS WOULD BE A GOOD MOVE FOR YOU.
BRADLEY
TRUST ME, I’M THINKING.
DR. PING
DR. SIMPSON, YOU NEEDN’T MAKE A DECISION TODAY. THE OFFER WILL BE OPEN FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD DEPENDING ON THE SCIENCE DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT. IF YOU MOVE TO CHINA WE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT YOUR RESEARCH?
BRADLEY
YES AND NO. THE GRANT MONEY IS BEGINNING TO FLOW TO SOME DEGREE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE THE DECISION MAKERS TO EMPLOY OUR TEAM FOR TRAUMA RESEARCH.
DR. PING
IN CHINA ONCE THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO SUPPORT A CITIZEN, IT IS COMPLETE AND CANNOT BE UNDONE. WE ARE OPEN REGARDING WANTING YOUR SERVICES AND TRAUMA RESEARCH INTEREST. AS YOU KNOW WE WOULD PLAN TO MAXIMALLY IMPROVE THE STMOR, MARKET AND SELL THE DEVICE WORLDWIDE. ROYALTIES TO THE SIMPSONS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY OCCUR.
BRADLEY
AND I’M GUARANTEED THE SALARY AND RESEARCH MONEY DESPITE NO IMMEDIATE SALES?
DR. PING
YES. AGAIN, ONCE THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, IT IS COMPLETE AND CANNOT BE REVERSED. WE ARE LEAVING TONIGHT FROM DIA. YOU ARE WELCOME TO EAT WITH US IN DENVER, AS WE HAVE ANOTHER CONTINGENT OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING THE SKI INDUSTRY WITH COLORADO SKI BUSINESS PEOPLE. SKIING IS EVER EXPANDING IN CHINA.
BRADLEY
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT I NEED SOME DOWN TIME WITH MY SON. WE ARE INTENDING TO TAKE A TRIP TO FORD PARK.
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DR. PING
THE PARK IS NAMED AFTER GERALD FORD. RIGHT?
BRADLEY
YES, HE WAS THE PRESIDENT AND AFTER LEAVING OFFICE, LIVED THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN VAIL.
DR. PING
GOOD BYE. HERE IS OUR CONTACT INFORMATION, EMAIL ADDRESSES, AND PHONE NUMBERS. CALL ANYTIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. WE CERTAINLY ENJOYED YOUR RESEARCH INTERESTS WHICH WILL BENEFIT ALL OF MANKIND.
BRADLEY
YES. GOOD BYE. I’LL JUST NEED TO THINK A BIT. FADE OUT: FADE IN: DR. SIMPSON AND BRAD II WALK TO FORD PARK IN VAIL, COLORADO. A NICE UNUSUALLY WARM LATE AFTERNOON SPRING DAY AWAITS THEM. A FEW LATE SEASON SKIERS WITH PARKING PASSES ARE RETURNING FROM THE SLOPES. BRADLEY HAS BRAD II ON THE TODDLER TEETER TOTTER. SUDDENLY A YOUNG BRUNETTE FEMALE THROWS A SNOWBALL AT HER FRIEND AND MISSES. UNFORTUNATELY IT HITS BRAD II IN THE HEAD. BRAD II BEGINS TO CRY AS DAD HUGS HIM. THE WOMAN WHO THREW THE SNOWBALL SPRINTS TO THE SIMPSONS. SHE IS DISTRAUGHT REGARDING HER VERY WILD SNOWBALL THROW.
HANNAH
I’M SO VERY SORRY. IS HE HURT? AGAIN I’M SO SORRY. I’LL PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL BILLS. MY BROTHER IS A DOCTOR WHO LIVES DOWN THE STREET. MAYBE HE CAN EXAMINE HIM!
BRADLEY
CALM DOWN PLEASE. HE’S OK. HE’S CRYING AND HUGGING ME. HE IS SCARED MORE THAN ANYTHING. IT’S JUST A SMALL BRUISE ON THE HEAD.
HANNAH
ARE YOU SURE? I THINK HE NEEDS TO SEE A PHYSICIAN. MY BROTHER IS HOME AND HE IS AN ER PHYSICIAN HERE SKIING WITH OUR FAMILY. OR I CAN CALL HIM AND HE’LL BE RIGHT OVER.
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BRADLEY
IT’S OK. HE’S NOT HURT, JUST SCARED AND PROBABLY HUNGRY. WE’LL JUST GET BACK IN THE STROLLER AND HEAD TO A KIDS PLACE TO EAT.
HANNAH
WELL LET ME PAY FOR THAT. I TOLD MY FRIENDS I’D MEET THEM BACK AT THE FAMILY HOME ALONG GORE CREEK.
BRADLEY
YOU LIVE ALONG GORE CREEK?
HANNAH
YES, IT’S NOT A BIG DEAL. I REALLY DON’T LIVE THERE. I’M JUST VISITING MY PARENTS FROM CHICAGO. IT’S THEIR PLACE. MY PARENTS ARE HERE JUST SOME OF THE TIME AND WE KIDS TAG ALONG. ALL THE KIDS ARE IN COLLEGE AND GRAD SCHOOL, OR BEYOND GRAD SCHOOL. I’M THE ONE PAST GRAD SCHOOL. OH I’M HANNAH. AND YOU ARE......... I’M BRADLEY SIMPSON.
BRADLEY HANNAH
ARE YOU THE GUY............YES THE GUY WHO DOES ALL THE MEDICAL SKI AND TRAUMA RESEARCH. YES IT MUST BE YOU. I READ THE VAIL PAPERS AND DISCOVERED THAT YOU ARE THE REASON WHY OUR HOSPITAL EVEN EXISTS AND STAYS OUT OF MASSIVE DEBT.
BRADLEY
I GUESS THAT’S ME. I DON’T REALLY READ THE PAPERS. MY MEGYN READ THE LOCAL PAPERS ALL THE TIME. I JUST NEVER HAD THE INTEREST OR TIME.
HANNAH
OH HOW FOOLISH OF ME TO THINK THAT YOU NEEDED MY BROTHER, THE ER DOC.., MY GOD YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF....... BRAD II.
BRADLEY HANNAH
YES–BRAD II. YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF HIM BETTER THAN MY SIBLING RIVAL OF A BROTHER WHO I CAN OUT SKI ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
BRADLEY
I’M SURE YOU CAN. WHAT IS YOUR NAME AGAIN? 11
HANNAH
HANNAH. HANNAH ABELSON.
BRADLEY
DID YOUR MOM HAVE A PELVIC AND HIP FRACTURE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO?
HANNAH
YES. DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT?
BRADLEY
MY VERY FIRST DAY IN PRACTICE IN VAIL I SAW YOUR MOM IN THE ER WITH MULTIPLE TRAUMA OFF THE SLOPES. SHE WAS PRETTY BANGED UP, BUT WE CARED FOR HER IN VAIL.
HANNAH
I REMEMBER THEM DISCUSSING A HELICOPTER TRIP TO DENVER, SHOCK, AND POSSIBLY DYING. ALL KINDS OF SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS WERE MADE IN THE ER. I FLEW IN FROM HOME IMMEDIATELY.
BRADLEY
ACTUALLY SHE WAS FAIRLY ROUTINE IN A LARGE CITY TRAUMA HOSPITAL. HERE AT VAIL SHE WAS THE VERY FIRST LARGE SCALE TRAUMA WE ADMITTED. ALL SERVICES WERE INVOLVED AND CLINICALLY SHE DID VERY WELL. SHE RECEIVED CONSIDERABLE HOME GROWN CARE AND LOVE.
HANNAH
ALL I REMEMBER IS THAT WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH VAIL HOSPITAL AND THE CARE INVOLVED. I VAGUELY REMEMBER YOU COMING INTO THE ICU AND ROUNDING. YES IT WAS YOU. AND YOU GAVE US HOPE WHEN WE THOUGHT MOM WAS A GONER. THERE WERE JUST SO MANY PEOPLE WORKING ON HER.
BRADLEY
SHE WAS A BIT TOUCHY, BUT PRETTY MUCH ROUTINE. YOUR MOM WAS VERY MOTIVATED TO LIVE, AND THAT IS WHY SHE DID SO WELL. SHE IS VERY HEALTHY.
HANNAH
I’M BUYING YOU AND YOUR LITTLE GUY, BRAD II SOMETHING TO EAT. WHERE IS BRAD II’S MOM?
BRADLEY
HIS MOM DIED LAST YEAR.
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HANNAH
SO YOU TWO ARE ALL ALONE?
BRADLEY
YES. BUT WE’RE ALL GETTING THROUGH THIS PHASE OF OUR LIVES. I’M BURIED IN MEDICAL TRAUMA RESEARCH AND COVERING THE ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA IN EAGLE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES. I COULDN’T HAVE COME TO A BETTER PLACE. I LOVE TO SKI, AND IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE.
HANNAH
WOW, I’M SUCH A SMUT. FIRST I BEAN YOUR CHILD WITH A FAST PITCH SNOWBALL. AND THEN I BRING UP YOUR WIFE WHO JUST DIED. I LIKE OWE YOU.....
BRADLEY
EVERYTHING IS COOL. I’M JUST ENJOYING FORD PARK, BRAD II, AND TALKED TO A BUNCH OF CHINESE GUYS TODAY ABOUT THE TRAUMA RESEARCH WE ARE DOING IN VAIL. LIFE IS GOOD. I’M OK.
HANNAH
WE ARE HAVING A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE OVER TO OUR HOUSE TONIGHT FOR DINNER-YOU KNOW THE DWELLING ON GORE CREEK. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU AND BRAD II. MY MOTHER WOULD INSIST.
BRADLEY
NO, WE’RE FINE. DON’T FEEL INDEBTED FOR A LOUSY TOSS, AND IT WAS PRETTY BAD. YOU THROW LIKE A GIRL. BRAD II IS MEDICALLY CLEARED TO GO HOME. WE’LL JUST BACK DOWN THE PATH....
HANNAH
NO I INSIST. I’LL CALL MOM AND SHE’LL INSIST................ DONE!
BRADLEY
WHAT DO YOU DO IN CHICAGO? I KNOW YOU’RE NOT THE BEARS BACK UP QB WITH YOUR ARM.
HANNAH
I’M A MALPRACTICE PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY. I LOVE IT. I ONLY GET BAD GUYS THOUGH.
BRADLEY
HMMM....YOU KNOW WE DOCS DON’T REALLY TAKE TO LEGAL PEOPLE.
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HANNAH
I’M VERY DIFFERENT. I ONLY GET REALLY BAD GUYS. YOU WOULDN’T WANT ANY OF THESE GUYS I ATTACK IN YOUR FIELD. YOU ARE A GOOD GUY. HI MOM. THIS IS YOUR ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR WHO SAVED YOU. AND THIS IS BRAD II, HIS ONE YEAR OLD SON. THE BRUISE ON BRAD II IS FROM MY SNOWBALL.
MOM
I’M SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU JOIN US TONIGHT. I RECEIVED THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE FROM YOU AND VAIL HOSPITAL LAST YEAR. I’M DOING VERY WELL NOW AND FEEL NORMAL. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES. HOW ABOUT A BREW FROM VAIL’S HUBCAP DR. SIMPSON?
BRADLEY
YES, SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU. LET ME GUESS HANNAH. NORTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL?
HANNAH
NOT EVEN CLOSE. I ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO-YOU KNOW THE SCHOOL OF LEAST FUN. BUT I’M MAKING UP FOR IT NOW IN MY EARLY ADULT LIFE. YOU’RE ALL CATHOLIC EVERYTHING IT SEEMS.
BRADLEY
I ATTENDED NOTRE DAME UNDERGRAD, CREIGHTON MEDICAL SCHOOL, GEORGETOWN ORTHOPEDIC RESIDENCY, AND MAYO’S - THE NON CATHOLIC PART OF MY TRAINING.
HANNAH
WE’RE ALL JEWISH HERE. I GUESS WE’RE ALL ABOUT DIVERSITY TONIGHT. HERE’S YOUR CATHOLIC BEER. WE HAVE MORE, AND I CAN BE THE DESIGNATED DRIVER. I KNOW YOU’RE NOT ON CALL. WE HAVE HOOPS ON DOWNSTAIRS AND YOU CAN MEET MY BROTHER, SISTERS, AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO’S JEWISH IN VAIL.
BRADLEY
I KNOW THE NUGGETS ARE ON.
HANNAH
I GUESS YOU’RE A REAL GUY! FADE OUT: END VAIL XVI
END VAIL XVI
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