David: "Alex, are you trying to psyche me out?"

Alexandra: "No. Mind games are your style, not mine."

David: "Running the Andrassy foundation has never been high on your wish list."

Alexandra (sarcastically): "I couldn't resist the opportunity of working side by side with such a renowned
cardiologist."

David: "And whose inspiration was this?"

Alexandra: "Mine. I ran it by Joe, and he's presenting my decision to the hospital board now." (She smirks at his agitation.)

David: "I thought you couldn't wait to leave Pine Valley."

Alexandra: "Oh, it isn't home, but it has its charms."

David: "For weeks you've refused to administer your late husband's research foundation. You've made it very clear that you have no desire to live here in Pine Valley. Now suddenly you have, what, change of heart? Decide to make this your home? To work side by side with a man that you obviously loathe? Why not run the research foundation yourself as per Dimitri's wish?"

Alexandra: "It's none of your business."

David: "Come on, Alex. To what do we owe this honor? A sudden change of heart? A sacrifice in the name of medical research? Uh-uh. Sorry, doc. This boy ain't buying."

Alexandra: "You don't stop, do you?"

David: "Your pupils are dilated, doctor. Respiration shallow, pulse racing. Diagnosis... you hate my guts. Treatment... go right ahead. Give me your best shot. But, remember, I'm dangerous when provoked."


Alexandra (turning away): "The first tenet of the Hippocratic oath is to do no harm, so I'm going to stay here with the foundation to make sure that you honor that."

David: "This is ludicrous. I haven't had a babysitter since I was eight."

Alexandra: "Think of me as a watch dog. An ugly one."

David: "I won't touch that. Joe Martin has given me carte blanche to run my cardio unit as I see fit."

Alexandra: "Joe is enamored with your professional expertise, period. I don't think he likes you any better than I do. Why don't you look on the whole thing as one big compromise? I'm honoring Joe's choice and Dimitri's wishes. You and I will have equal say in how the Andrassy foundation is run."

David: "Hmm. And when we disagree?"

Alexandra: "What do you think the likelihood of that is?"

David: "In the spirit of compromise."

Alexandra: "Exactly. You can walk away any time you like. I won't think any less of you. That's not possible."

David: "I don't walk away, Alex."

Alexandra: "Yes, you do. You're good at it."

David: "If it's your game plan to make my life miserable, force me to quit, you better rethink your strategy."

Alexandra: "I'm only interested in finding a cure for the disease that killed my husband. I thought I had a choice about that, but I don't." (She leaves and slams door. David looks pensive.)

The scene fades out, then returns later. Alex and Edmund are seated at a restaurant.
Edmund: "So, what did Hayward say when you dropped your bombshell?"

Alexandra (playing with her straw): "Well, he was pretty cool, as always. I don't think he likes being out of control or surprises or anything."

Edmund: "Do you think he'll go for the team approach?"

Alexandra: "He didn't officially accept it."

Edmund (taking a sip): "He didn't reject it, either."

Alexandra: "You know, I'm not even sure it's workable."

Edmund: "You want my honest opinion?"

Alexandra: "That's rhetorical, right?"

Edmund (smiles): "I think you honor Dimitri by taking an active part in his foundation. I think you scored a coup by getting Hayward onboard. He's a gifted doctor if nothing else."

Alexandra (making a face and shaking her head): "Uh...

Edmund: "And I think you get a chance to practice medicine."

Alexandra: "This isn't where I was headed, you know."

Edmund: "Who knows where you were headed. I think you should have a little faith in yourself, Doc. I do."

Alexandra (smiles): "Thanks. I needed that."

Edmund (smiling back): "You're welcome."

Alexandra: "It's so weird... after all these years, I'm still bloody dealing with Hayward."

Edmund (sighs): "Why don't you let me change the subject?" (He puts down a small, white ribboned box on the table before her.)

Alexandra: "You didn't want to change the subject." (Smiles) "You stopped the conversation dead. What is it?"

Edmund: "It's a box."

Alexandra: "Yes. I see that."

Edmund: "Why don't you open it."

Alexandra: "Ok." (She opens it and slowly lifts a crystal ornament, then looks questionly at him.)

Alexandra: "Crystal Ball."

Edmund: "Well, we're sending these out as party favors."

Alexandra: "So this is my invitation? Do we have to be that formal?"

Edmund: I'm just glad you're... you're sticking around."

Alexandra: "It wasn't so long ago you couldn't wait to see my backside... I mean because I was
going back to England."

Edmund: "I know what you mean."

Alexandra: "So, you never told me... when is this thing?"

Edmund: "New Year's Eve."

Alexandra: "Uh..."


Alexandra: "I broke it. I'm sorry."

Edmund: "It's all right. It's no problem. Are you ok?"

Alexandra: "I got it, I got it. Yeah, I'm fine."

Edmund: "Are you sure?"

Alexandra: "Yeah. Really."

Edmund: "Listen, Alex, I didn't mean to pressure you..."

Alexandra: "No, no, no. No, it's not you. I... I don't do New Year's Eve, ever. It's just a thing. I... I won't be able to go with you. I'm sorry."

Edmund: "I know what's wrong. We've spent too much time talking about people that we've lost and people we just don't like. How about a change of scenery?"

Alexandra: "What do you have in mind?"

Edmund: "What are you doing tomorrow? Are you free?"

Alexandra: "Yeah, I think so."

Edmund: "Good. Wear your mittens. And wear something on your feet because, lady, we're going to kick your troubles right to the curb."