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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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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.
Scene:IntheLaboratory
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.
Scene:IntheLaboratory
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
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fathertookcareofus,Illtakecareofyou. Andeverythingsgonna
bejustfine.Wellbejustfinehere.
ClaraThomas:Youreright.Wellbefinehere.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
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!
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Doctor:Youdidthebestyoucould.Withtheconditionofhisliver,
youneverhadachance.
Blalock:Ialwayshaveachance. Getmehisautopsy.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
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?
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MaryBlalock:Notuntilyoucamehome. Youknowwhatshesaid
today? Shesaidshewantedtobeapatientwhenshegrowsup.So
shecangettoseeherdaddy.
Blalock:Idontrememberyouwearingatoolbeltatyourcoming
outparty. GuessithasbeenacoupleofweekssinceImadeithome
before11:00.
MaryBlalock:No,its23days.NotasifIdontknowthelotofa
doctorswifebutImissyou.
Blalock:Itsgonnachange.
MaryBlalock:Itsprobablygonnagetworse.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
DrLongmire:HeyVivien.
Thomas:HeyDr.Longmire.
Dr.Longmire: IsDr.Blalockin?
Thomas:No,hesnot. Idontknowwhereheis. Youshouldcheck
hisoffice.
Longmire:Thatsaninterestingprocedure.Neverseenaclamplike
thatbefore.
Thomas: Itisforsmallvascularwork.
Longmire:Wheredyougetit?
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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
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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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Officeworker:Itmeanssalarygrade.
Thomas: And,maam,andthishere?Whatsthis?
Officeworker:Jobclassification.
Thomas:Whatisclassthree?
Officeworker:Maintenanceworker.
Thomas:Imalabtechnician.Thatcantbe.
Officeworker:VivienThomas. Okay.Herewego. Vivien
Thomas,classthree. Thankyou.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
Blalock:Ashunt.
Thomas: Imsorry,Doctor.Whatdyousay?
Blalock:Weneedtocreateashunttogetmoreoxygenatedbloodto
thelungs. Cantseehowtodoit.
Thomas: RememberbackinVanderbiltwhenweweredoingthe
researchonhowtocreatehighbloodpressureinthelungs?
Blalock:Yes,Iconnectedthesubclaviantothepulmonaryartery.
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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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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.
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Scene:Inthelaboratory
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
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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.
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Scene:Inthelaboratory
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.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
Blalock:Wherethehellhaveyoubeen,Vivien?
Thomas: Ihadadreamaboutthiswhitewomanlastnight.
Blalock:Perhapsthatssomethingbestkepttoyourself.
Thomas:No. IknewitwasEileenSaxon. Shewasallgrownup.
Shewassittingthereinacorner. Shewasknittingandsheletouta
babyvoiceandshefelloverdead. IcouldntseeitbutIknewonthe
insideshehadababyheart. Shejustfelloverdead.
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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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
Blalock:Youdidwellinthere,Vivien.
Thomas:Thankyou.Youperformedanexcellentsurgery,Doctor.
Blalock:Yes.IthinkIdid.
Scene::JohnsHopkinslobby
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Blalock:Itwasverygratifyingandhowwellitseemstohavestood
onitsfeetforthismomentintime.WhatcanIdoforyou,Vivien?
Thomas:IvemadeamistakeandIwouldlikemyoldpositionback.
Blalock:Andhowsitgoingtobeanydifferent? Imstillthesame
selfrighteousbastard.
Thomas:Itsnotaboutyou. Itsaboutthework. Ilikethework.
Scene:Inthelaboratory
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...
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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?
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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
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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.
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