SomethingtheLordMadeScriptDialogueTranscript Scene:ConstructionSite Boss:Allright,everybody,thatsitfortheday.Besureyougetthat dropclothupbeforeyouleave,allright?.... Thatssomenicework,youngblood. Thomas:Thankyou,Mr.Roulette. Boss:Yeah,yourdaddytaughtyouright.Youknow,whenallthe constructionstartscomingbackyougotskillstomakesomethingof yourself. Thomas:Thankyou,sir.Thatsfine.Icanwaituntilpayday. Boss:Imsorry,alltheothershavefamiliestofeed...butyoudo goodwork.Ilikewhatyoudo,okay? Thomas:Okay.Yougotafunnywayoftellingmethat. Scene:WalkingtoLaboratory Morning.

y Morning. Charlie:DidntItellyouIcouldpullsomestrings? Thomas:Yes,youdid,Charlie.Thankyouverymuch,yourea goodman.Buttellmewhy...Morning.Whywouldadoctorwant tohireacarpenter?

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,mymotherwassosureshewashavingagirlthatshe pickedthenameearly,andkeptit. Blalock:Youdontsay. Thomas:Impleasedtomeetyou,sir. Blalock:CallmeDoctor,and,Francis,youcantellthisgooddoctor thathistheoriesareextremelyinteresting,andIllbeprayingfor him. Secretary:Yes,Doctor. Blalock:ThoughitshispatientsIshouldbeprayingfor.Keepup, son.Thisiswheremyworkisdone.

Thomas:Whatisyourwork? Blalock:Medicalresearch.Wepushthelimitsofsurgeryusing straydogswegetfromthelocaldogcatch.Theyredarling,but dontgettooattached.Theyreameanstoagreatend.Thedog pensgetcleaneduptwiceaday.Ineedthelabsweptevery morning.Simpletasks,buttheyprovedbeyondtheabilitiesofyour predecessors.Doyouthinkyoucanhandleit? Scene:Onthebus Mrs.Thomas:So? Thomas:Sowhat? (Mrs.)Thomas:Dontsowhatme.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.

 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?

 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.

Father:Mygrandfatherwasapieceofproperty.Nobetterthanthat chairortableoverthere.Hissonbecameafreemanattheageof fifteen.Heraisedmewithhardlyanelementaryschooleducation. NowIseemysongraduatecollegeandgoontoteachschool.So donttellmethingsdontgetbetterovertime. Harold:Thingsdontjustgetbetter.Peoplegottochangethings, Pop,makethembetter.IfIdontdosomethingnow,Illbeadead manbeforeIgetpaidlikewhiteteachersdo.Vivien,youknow Imrightaboutthis. Thomas:Allright,now,Harold,justholdyourhead.Igotreading todo. Scene:Inthelaboratory Blalock:ToanesthetizeBrutus,firstwehavetocalculatetheweight. Thomas:Heweighs18.4kilograms.Anditshouldtake552 milligramsofsodiumbarbitaltoanesthetizehimforthreehoursif theabsorptionrateisuniform. Scene:Walkinginthestreet Mrs.Thomas:Dogs?Whatkindofdoctorishe? Thomas:Whenyoupracticeondogs,andthenyoucanhelpheal people. Mrs.Thomas:Givesmethewillies.

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.

 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.

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 damagepoorBrutusgreatervessels? Thomas:Toinducetraumaticshock,tostudyit. Blalock:Watchthismanometer.AndimaginethatBrutusisa16 yearoldboyjustfelloutofatreesavinghismomscat.Hesbroken

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.

Thomas:Ididnotknowthat. Blalock:Isnobodylisteningtome?Goddamnit!Ihavetodo everythingmyself.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.

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.Iknow wewillaccomplishgreatthingstogether. Scene:Overdrinks Blalock:Imlookingformynextwatersheddiscoverynottoputtoo modestapointonit.Itsnotenoughforustobegreatsurgeons.We needtobeoutstandingresearchers.Anyideas?Anything innovative? Dr.Longmire:Whataboutskingrafts?Testingwhatskingrips mighttake. Blalock:Isntskinmerelypackaging? Longmire:No,itkeepsoutinfection.

 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.

Taussig:Themortalityrateis100%.Ivewatchedhundredsof cyanoticchildrendie.Iadmittedababytonightwhowillcertainly diesimplybecausenoonehashadthecouragetoattemptasurgical solutiontothis. 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

 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.

ClaraThomas:Iknow. Thomas:Dr.BlalocksawwhatIcouldcontribute,andhegavemea chance.AndwhentheyofferedhimthatbigjobinDetroithedidnt takeitbecausetheydidnttakeme.NowImalabassistanttoatop surgeonatthenumberonemedicalschoolinthecountry.Anditsa goodposition. ClaraThomas:Andwhataboutyougoingtomedicalschool? Thomas:Youdonthavetoremindmeofthat.Wehaveafamily now.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?

UniversityStaffMember:No,sir. Blalock:Dr.Blalock,ChiefSurgicalProfessor. UniversityStaffMember:Imsorry,Dr.Blalock,butthatstherules. Blalock:Illmeetyouinthelabs,Vivien. Scene:WorkersRoom FellowWorker:Hey,youneedtopunchinfirst. Thomas:Thankyou. Scene:Laboratory Blalock:Icanseewevearrived. Thomas:Whenwasthelasttimetheyusedthisplace? Blalock:Havesomeonecleanitupbeforetheyputtheequipmentin. IllmeetyouinanhourattheHarrietLanewards.Letsseeif theresanythinginthisideaofDr.Taussigs. Thomas:Excuseme?Goodmorning.WheredoyouthinkIcould findsomeonetohelpuscleanupthelab,Doctor? Dr.Hecker:Whodoyouthinkyouretalkingto? Thomas:Imnotsure.ImVivienThomas,IworkforDr.Blalock, runningthislab.

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.

 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 mypatientshearts.Inordertostudythemalformationsindetail. Blalock:Itsamazingtheycouldliveatallwithheartslikethese. Taussig:Dr.GrossatHarvardsaidonlyGodcouldcorrecta narrowingindentationoftheleftsideoftheaorticarch. Blalock:PerhapsthatstatementsaysmoreaboutHarvardthanit doesaboutGod. Thomas:Thatbabybackthere,howlong? Taussig:Sixmonths.Ayearattheverymost. Blalock:Thatsnotright. Taussig:Areyougoingtotakethison,Doctor?

 Blalock:Iwanttoseeallyourdiagnosticnotes. Taussig:Illgetthemrightaway.Thankyou. Scene:IntheLaboratory Blalock:Putawaythebooks,Vivien.Letsnotwasteanymoretime ontheoreticalcrap.Letsstartwithexperiments.Fourseparate defectsoftheheartworkingincombination.Thepulmonaryartery isconstrictedinthemainarterybeforethedivide,diminishing bloodsupplytobothlungs.Andtheholeintheseptumcausesthe usedbloodtoflowbackintothearterialsysteminsteadofflowing throughthelungs,turningthebabiesblue. Ababysheartisdelicate.Itsagoddamnminefield.Thefirststepis toseeifwecancreatethebluebabyconditioninadogandthen comeupwithaplantosolveit. Thomas:Youredrinkingtoomuchcoffee. Blalock:Balzacdrank300cupsofcoffeeinoneday.Ofcourse,he diedofaperforatedulcer. Thomas:Oddsareagainstusreproducingthisinthelaboratory. Areyousurethisisthelimbyouwanttoclimbouton? Blalock:Backin29whenIhadTB...thexraysshowedabiggaping holeinmyleftlung.Ilaidthereonafreezingporchinasanatorium inupstateNewYorkwith18blanketsonme.Nothingbutmynose exposedtotheelements.Deathsaveryhumblingthingtolivewith dayinanddayout.IsworethenifIgotmylifeback,Iwoulddo somethingimportantwithit.Iknow,ineveryfiberofmybeingthat thisisalimbIwanttoclimbouton.

 Blalock:Itsgonnabehelltryingtoworkwithachildsvesselsthree orfourmillimetersthick. Thomas:Likesewingovercookedspaghettinoodles. Blalock:Wellneedthesmallestsutures. Thomas:Wellneedtomakeourowntools. Blalock:Wecouldbeinfortrouble,Vivien. Thomas:Bigtrouble. Page:Dr.AlfredBlalocktoOR,please. Blalock:Theyredrivingmecrazy.Thisgoddamnwar.Wedont haveenoughdoctors.Mysurgerycasesarethroughtheroof.IfIm notoperating,Imteaching.Youregonnahavetodomostofthis research.Whatllyouneed? Thomas:Ineedabulldogclampsmallenoughforthebabybut strongenoughtostoptheflowofblood. Blalock:Whataboutabreathingdevice? Thomas:IdloveaPositivePressureRespirator,butwiththiswar goingon... Blalock:Yeah,howinhellcanIdotheexperimentsifIcanteven gettheequipment?Shutup.

Scene:PlayingPool Doctor1:YousurelypissedoffEdHecker. Blalock:YoumeanIdisturbedhisafternoonnap? Doctor2:Whatisitwithyouandthatboyofyours?Thomas. Whydyoubringhimuphere? Blalock:Wevebeentogethermorethan12years.Hesareallygood worker.Howaboutalittlewager? Doctor2:$50.00? Doctor3:Givehimabreak,Dick. Blalock:Youreon. Doctor:Theresarumorgoingaroundyourecontemplatingheart surgery. Blalock:Thatsanintriguingrumor,dontyouthink?Wouldntitbe afeatherinourcapifwewerethefirstonestodoit? Doctor:Indeed,itwould.ButIhopeyoullforgivemyskepticism. Thereisnoreasonforustothinkitspossible.Andeveryindicator saysitcantbedone. Doctor:Mostofusagree,Al,therisksarehuge.Thereisnteven anyincrementalprogress. Blalock:Whereyouseerisks,Iseeopportunity.

Scene:Thomasreturninghome Landlord:Yougottatakecareofthatsinkupin4B.Ithoughtyou saidyouweregonnafixthesesteps. Thomas:Yes,forgiveme,Ivebeenverybusyatwork.ButIwill gettoit. Landlord:Thedealis$7.00offforoddjobseverymonth.Yougotta pickupthepace. Scene:Thomashome WithalliedforcesfightingatCassinoGermanFieldMarshalKesselring hasearnedareputationasoneofourfew... 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

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!

Doctor:Youdidthebestyoucould.Withtheconditionofhisliver, youneverhadachance. Blalock:Ialwayshaveachance.Getmehisautopsy. Scene:Inthelaboratory Blalock:Shit.Damn.Whatsthat? Thomas:Ournewrespirator.Iwasrummagingaroundthe machineshop.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?

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?

Thomas:Ipiecedittogetherfromsomethingslyingaround. Ahhhh.Nowweregettingsomewhere. Longmire:Yourenotevenlooking. Thomas:Itslikewhenyoucomehomelateatnight,youknow? Youknowthefeeloftheroominthedark. Longmire:Thatlooksimpossible. Thomas:No,ifIcandoit,youcandoit.Yousee,thisstringhere thatshowyougettractiononthesuturebecauseyouneedalotof exposurefortheanastomosis. Longmire:Idliketoworkwithyousometime. Thomas:Fine,Dr.Longmire,thatdbefine. Longmire:Myemergencyrotationstartsin10minutes,butIcan comeinonThursday. Thomas:Thatdbefine.Youhaveagoodday,Doctor. Scene:HaroldThomasvisitingBaltimore Thomas:Harold?Whatareyoudoinghere? HaroldThomas:Iwasintheneighborhood. Scene:HaroldThomasandVivienThomaswalkinginthestreet

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?SaidsincecoloredteachersinNashvillelivesocheaply theyshouldpayusawholelotlessthanwhiteteachers. 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.

Thomas:Hetrustsmetocarryoutthoseexperimentsonmyown. Imrunningthewholelab. HaroldThomas:Butdoeshecompensateyouextraforthat? ClaraThomas:Now,Harold,Viviensdoingimportantresearch now. HaroldThomas:ButhesforgettingwhatGranddaddytoldus.He saidheregrettedactingsogratefulforbeingfreeforwhatreally wasntanyfreedomatall. Thomas:Iknow,Iremember. Scene:Intheworkerscafeteria Staffmember:Whatyougivinghimextrafor?Whatswrongwith me? Cafeteriaworker:Nothingmindingyourownbusinesswouldnt cure. Staffmember:Yougotthatwhitecoat.Butyourejustaclassthree worker,sameasme.Infact,Igottwoyearsseniorityonyou.Im makingmorethanyou.Dontthinkyouresomekindofbigshot aroundhere. Thomas:Excuseme,buddy.Classthree,whatdoesthatmean? Scene:Intheadministrationoffice

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.

 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.

 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.

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.

 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.

 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.

Thomas:Nooneseverdoneanythingashardasthis.Changing thecourseofblood. Blalock:Andturnblueintopink.Anddeathintolife. Scene:Hospitalward Blalock:Idontcarewhatthechartsays.Thisgirlwantstolive. Scene:Inthelaboratory Blalock:Retractor. Thomas:No,suture. Blalock:Cantwetrythingsmywayoccasionally?Allright. Sutures. Thomas:DoyoumindifIshowyousomething,Doctor?Thank you. Blalock:Doyouneedanyhelp? Thomas:No,thatsfine.Thankyou.Ihavetopursestringthe anastomosis.Okay,there.Hesallyours,Doctor.Doyoufeelthe connection? Blalock:Areyousureyoudidthis,Vivien?Thisislikesomething theLordmade.

Scene:InDr.Blalocksoffice Blalock:Look,Mr.Saxon,Mrs.Saxon.Iacknowledgethattheseare unchartedwaters.Therearerisks.ButIthinkwehavefoundaway torepairyourdaughtersheart. Mr.Saxon:How? Blalock:Yourestationed,where,Norfolk,isit,Mr.Saxon? Mr.Saxon:Yes,sir.BeenworkingontheSpencer,tryingtogether backouttosea. 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.

 Scene:Inthelaboratory Blalock:Itsgoingtobealotharderwithababy.Weregoingto havetocollapseoneofherlungs.Shesalreadysocyanotic.Shes notgettingenoughoxygenandweregoingtohavetotakeaway halfofherlungfunction.Youmadethosenewclampsyet? Thomas:Imworkingonit. Blalock:WhatifIshredherinsideswiththoseclamps?Somany waystofail.Everysecondcounts.Asingleminuteistoolong.A singleminuteofpoorbloodflowtothebrainasinglesecondof openbleeding Scene:Atchurch Mrs.Saxon:AreyousayingIshouldntallowthisdoctortoperform amiracletosavemybaby? Priest:Wedontgettodemandmiracles. Mr.Saxon:Honey,Godhashisplans.Maybewejusthavetoaccept it. Mrs.Saxon:ButIwassohappywhenIwaspregnantwithEileen. Youknow,Ihaventhadenoughtime.WhycantGodletmegetto knowherfirst?Imean,Idontwanttogoagainsthim.Butwhy cantHisplanbetoletthisdoctorsaveherlife? Scene:MinisterandProf.Blalock

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.

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.

Blalock:Whatthehelldoesthathavetodowith...Thestitches didntgrow. Thomas:WhenwedidtheshuntonPonchos,hewas10pounds. Hewentupto20. Blalock:Hepulleditloose. Thomas:Iwaswrong.Pursestringingdoesntwork.Weneeda newstitchingtechnique. Blalock:Continuousonthebackwall,interruptedonthefrontwall. Thatswhatweneed.Andthen,theshuntwillgrow. Scene:Onthehospitalward Dr.Taussig:65%oxygenation.Shesdeterioratingsorapidly.Have wegottimetopracticetheoperation? Blalock:Wecantletup. Dr.Taussig:Whataboutthenewstitchingtechnique? Blalock:Weretryingitouttomorrow. Scene:Inthelaboratory Doctor:Youhavetoseethis.VivienThomasisoperating,assisted bytheChiefofSurgery.

Thomas:Pulltheinboundveinanastomosis.Long,slow,general arc. Blalock:Icantsee.Canyousee,Vivien?Couldyouadjustthat lamp?Aretheclampsstillholding? Thomas:Yes. Blalock:Nokinking? Thomas:None.Allright,nowforthetoughpart.Continuous suturesonthebackwallinterruptedonthefront....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.

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?

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

 Thomas:Dr.Taussig,Professor.Ijustwantedtowishgoodluckto everyone. Others:Thankyou,Vivien.Thanks,Vivien. Blalock:Weregoingtoblockthatbabyspulmonaryarteryfor30 minutes. Taussig:Aslongasherbloodpressuredoesntgobelow60Ithink sheshouldbefine.Idontthinkshecansurvivemuchlowerthan that.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.

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?

 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.

 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.

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.

 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

Taussig:Please,Iunderstand.Thisisahospital.Canyouplease keepyourvoicesdown?Icanunderstandhowyouallmustfeelbut wehavebeenoverwhelmedwithchildrenfromallacrossthe countryandthentheresjustonedoctortoperformtheseoperations. 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,fromStockholmandDr.Petrovskyfrom Leningrad. Doctor:Honoredtomeetyou.Youhavegivensurgeonsaroundthe worldgreatcouragewithyourdeeds.

 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 inthebluebabyoperationinthisshot? Thomas:TheresayoungwomanwhohitchhikedfromAppalachia withherson.AndIthinkhisbloodlevelsmaybelowenoughto test. Blalock:TalktoDr.Taussigaboutschedulinghimin. Photographer:Ifyoudallturnandfacethecenter,please,likeDr. Longmire. Blalock:Helen.

Photographer:Verygood.Thankyou,nowfocusyourattention here,please.Smile,focushere.Holdthat.Good.Nowifwecould haveoneofyoualone,Dr.Blalock.Verygood,sir.Focushere,if youwould.Herewego,Doctor. Thankyouverymuch. Scene:Thomashome Thomas:Theyrenicepictures,arentthey?Theyalwayshavenice pictures. ClaraThomas:Justcauseyourenotinthenewsdoesntmeanyou werentthere,Viv. Thomas:Illbeback. Scene:AttheBelvederehotel MC:Amanwhoisarealpioneer,agamblerwhotakesalltheright risks,whosrescueduntoldliveswithhisworkinshockandhas goneontochallengetheentiremedicalestablishmenttoreconsider anageoldtabooinperformingtheworldsfirstheartsurgery.Now, withoutembarrassingmyself,Idliketointroduceamanwhohas undeniablybroughtadashofpinktothecheeksofothers.Dr. AlfredBlalock. Blalock:Thankyou.Iamindeedhonored.AndwhileIamgrateful forthemanygiftsthathavebeengiventomeinmylife,perhapsthe greatestgifthasbeenthesupportofmycolleaguesoverthislast year.Mygoodfriend,WalterDandy.Thewonderful,brilliant

colleagueswhoassistedmeinouroperation:Dr.HelenTaussig,Dr. WilliamLongmire,Dr.DentonCooley,Dr.MelHarmel. Ibelieveonegroupofpeoplecouldnothaveaccomplishedsomuch insolittletimewithoutastrong,unifiedeffortinthespiritof breakingnewgroundtogether.Tofurtherthereachofmedicineis onethatshouldbecherishedandneverallowedtodie. Scene:Inthelaboratory Blalock:Whatthehellisthis? Thomas:Ineedtodosomethingdifferent. Blalock:Whataboutourwork? Thomas:Yougotallofthoseotherpeopleyouwerethanking. Blalock:Whatareyoutalkingabout? Thomas:BelvedereHotel. Blalock:TheBelvedereissegregated.Youwerethere? Thomas:Snuckin,justlikeabellhop. Blalock:Isthatwhatthisisabout,hobnobbingwiththepowersthat be?Vivien,theywillneverletyouintotheirclub.Itisnaiveto thinkotherwise.Willyoustandstill? Thomas:Imnottalkingaboutthem.ImnottalkingaboutHopkins. Imtalkingaboutyou.

Blalock:Me?WhathaveIeverdoneexceptfightinyourcorner?I havetakenyoueverystepofthewaywithmeandnowyouwantto throwallthataway?Forwhat?Isthatanywaytoshowyour gratitude? 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.

Collegeadministrator:Imafraiditjustdoesntworklikethat. YoullhavetostartwithFreshmanEnglish.SocialScience,maybe. Thomas:Idonthavetimeforthat.Im35yearsold.Youresaying thatIhavetostartatthebeginning? Collegeadministrator:Yes,Mr.Thomas.Imafraidthatisinfact whatImsaying. Thomas:Ithoughtthisinstitutionprovidedopportunityforcolored people?Ihaveawife,twoyoungdaughters,son.AndIvebeen workinginmyfieldforoverfifteen.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.

 Doctor:Letsseewhatotherlinesyouhave. Thomas:Yes,wehaveeffervescentpowderhere... Scene:AtthehomeofThomasparents 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.

 HaroldThomas:Ineverreallylikedtheclassroomthatmuch,Clara. Toomanykids. ClaraThomas:Butyoufoughtallthoseyears,andyouwonthe case,so... Mother:Exactly.Andquittingnowmeansyouvejustwasteda wholelotoftime. Thomas:NoIdontthinkitsawasteoftime.IfHaroldwasnt downtheredoingwhathewasdoingtheredstillbealotofcolored 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.

Scene:Ontheporch ClaraThomas:Viv,Jeopardyison. Thomas:Illbeininaminute. ClaraThomas:Youokay? Thomas:Imfine.Stomachsbotheringmealittlebit,butImfine. ClaraThomas:Whydontyoutakeoneofthemfancyantacidpills thatyoualwaysbragabout?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?

 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...

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?

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.ButIthink weshouldremembernotwhatwelostbutwhatwevedone.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

 Taussig:Today,wehonorsomeonewhonevertookacoursein medicalschoolandstillbecameoneofourgreatestteachersof medicine.Thisindividualhelpedchangethewayweunderstand howthehumanheartworksforever. AndnowImhonoredtoread:TheBoardofRegentsofthis,the JohnsHopkinsUniversityinconsiderationofaninnovative scientist, anoutstandingteacher,andaskilledclinicaltechnicianhasthis dayawardedthishonorarydoctoratetoMr.VivienThomas. Congratulations,Dr.Thomas. Thomas:Thankyou,Dr.Taussig. Imnotaccustomedtobeinginthelimelight.Sobeingplacedinthe positionIfindmyselfinnowmakesmequitehumbleandalittle proud.WhenIputmyhammerandsawdown40yearsagoand wasofferedanopportunitytoworkwithayoungsurgeon,Ihadno ideathatIdbeabletomakeamarkonaninstitutionasprestigious asthisone. IhadnoideathatIwouldhaveanycontributiontomaketo medicinethatwouldmeritthistypeofrecognition.Isimplysay thankyoutoallofmyfamilyandallofmyfriendswhoarehereand toallofmyfriendswhocouldnotbehere.Ithankyouverymuch. Taussig:Thisisalsoaspecialoccasiontomarktheunveilingof yourlikeness,Vivien. Scene:InthefoyerofJohnsHopkins PagingDr.Thomas.Dr.VivienThomastotheboardroom,please.