Dialog from Episode 17, scene 8.

       Dr. Morton goes up to Dr. Rossi's office and talks with Laura while 
       waiting for Rossi.  Morton is looking at Rossi's diploma.

RM:  I understand Rossi was at the top of his class.
LB:  Donald was in the middle.
RM:  I liked your husband.

RM:  Don't you find it a little painful, Laura, staying in his office?
LB:  You mean in Donald's office?  
RM:  Yes.
LB:  Well, it isn't Donald's office any more.  And I'm much too busy for 
     memories.
MR:  Pity.
       [Dr. Rossi arrives carrying his medical bag and overcoat.]
MR:  Dr. Morton.   
RM:  I was driving by.  Thought I would drop in.
       [They shake hands.]
MR:  I'm glad you did.
       [Rossi sets his medical bag on his desk.]
LB:  Excuse me, doctor.  [Laura takes Rossi's coat.]
MR:  Thank you.
RM:  I was just looking at your diploma.  One of the men who signed it and 
     I, interned together.  Freddy Zeitner. 
MR:  Oh, you interned with Dr. Zeitner?  
RM:  Oh, yes.  He was number five in our class.
MR:  And number four?
RM:  No, I was third.  Surprised to find me buried in Peyton Place?
MR:  Well, I wouldn't exactly call this a burial.
RM:  It isn't.  
MR:  By the way, what do you think of Dr. Zeitner's latest paper?
RM:  Which one?
MR:  Last month's New York Review.
RM:  Oh yes.  Well, I haven't had time to read it yet.  But I'm sure it's 
     terribly good. 
MR:  Sit down, please.
       [They sit.]
RM:  Freddy's work always is.  Tell me, Dr. Rossi, do you like what you 
     have found here in Peyton Place?
MR:  Well, that's a rather big question, don't you think?
RM:  The hospital.
MR:  Well, the hospital for its size is equipped beautifully I think and run 
     very well. 
RM:  I'll take that as a personal compliment.
MR:  As the chief-of-staff, I think you have every right to.
RM:  Thank you.  

RM:  I was looking at some records at the hospital this morning.  
     I didn't know that Betty Anderson, Betty Harrington had lost the baby. 
MR:  Yes.  You weren't at the hospital that night.  I advised Dr. Holter of 
     the situation. 
RM:  Are you aware that the Harringtons don't know what's happened?
MR:  Yes, Betty come in to see me yesterday.
RM:  Well, have you made any effort to tell the Harringtons?
MR:  Well, of course, not.   Betty's medical history is privileged communi
RM:  Privileged communication is a term not an explanation.
MR:  Are you saying I owe you one?
RM:  I'm saying that this is a small town.  You've practiced in New York 
     City. Medicine has a different color.  It's more personal. 
MR:  We all took the same oath.

RM:  You approve of this marriage?
MR:  I'm a physician, not a marriage counselor.  My own personal 
     feelings have nothing to do with the issue.
RM:  I'm sorry, Dr. Rossi.
       [Dr. Morton stands.]
RM:  I was hoping that you would be the one to do something about this.
MR:  And since I won't?
RM:  Well I define privileged communication in a different way. I look at 
     those people down there in the square.  I figured I brought a good 
     number of them into the world.  For 30 years they brought me all their 
     aches and pains.  Not just the physical ones.  When I see a girl like 
     Betty manipulating a family . . . 
       [Rossi stands.]
MR:  What's your frame of reference, Hippocrates or the local Dunn and 
     Bradstreet? 

RM:  Oh, I see you do have personal feelings.
MR:  Yes, I do.  But I don't let them interfere with my personal 
     responsibilities.  If you abuse this information in any way I'll take 
     you to the county medical society.
RM:  Dr. Rossi . . .
MR:  I know you're an officer of the society.  But I also know there is a 
     committee on ethics. 
RM:  Is that the way you formulate your ethics, by committee?.
MR:  I don't have time to debate philosophy with you, doctor.  I have a lot 
     of patients out there.  You heard what I said.

RM:  You're out of place here.  You don't belong.  It's evident to me.  
     It soon will be to others, Dr. Rossi.
MR:  Dr. Morton, I don't know if I'm in my place, or out of it.  I may not 
     even know my place.  But I am here.  And being where you want to be is 
     quite a privilege these days.  It's a privilege I don't intend to give 
     up.  I hope we understand one another. 
RM:  Oh, yes.  We do.  Understand each other.

RM:  Good day, doctor.
MR:  Good day, Dr. Morton.

Episode 17, scene 8           HOME