Jamie met Lisa at Mary's Place. He was an hour late. He was in a bad mood. He did not appreciate her chatter. He snapped.
Michael praised Felicia for her success with John. He's making a donation. Zack and Cass came up to Tops. Cass does not seem to recollect the contract he did for Brava and Columbia Pulp & Paper which Zack so greatly admires. Enter John. He started making objections.
Donna came home from shopping. Bridget was excited because a red sports car had been delivered. Donna called Victoria down and gave her the keys. Victoria refused to accept it. She accused Donna of trying to bribe her. Donna told Victoria she wanted to give her gifts because she loved her. Victoria allowed her to embrace her when she started crying.
Cass and John discussed their problems. Vietnam vs. wife guilt. John has no speech to make. He doesn't think anyone will understand.
Scott is on the plane back next to a nervous woman. He made conversation. Her name is Dawn. She's visiting someone in Bay City. She went to a very strict private school. She is now a music major. Going to college.
Lisa apologised. Jamie apologised. He told her about a great guy he had for a patient, about 25, pneumonia, lost a lot of weight. He's waiting for the results of the HIV test.
Michael tried to persuade John to go on. John doesn't feel eloquent enough. Pep talk. Zack came over and said he had a message for John involving a cribbage board and a lot of filthy names. John recognised the methods of Sergeant Freeling, confined to a wheelchair after being blown up by a land mine. He's invited and it's Michael's fault. Felicia sent the Hudsons home to dress. John has not made up his mind to speak.
Victoria warned Donna that Michael would not approve of the car. She accepted it nonetheless.
Dawn is very nervous indeed.
Lisa felt bad for Jamie. He rushed back to the hospital. She went after him.
Victoria decided to head out for a spin. Peter appeared and remarked on how expensive a symbol it was. Michael and John arrived. Michael asked about the car. Donna started trying to change the subject. Jane dropped in with a memo. Michael had to rush to the office. John offered to walk Jane out to the stables. She arranged to meet him here rather than give him the bother of finding her place. Victoria found out that Donna had set them up. Donna went to have her hair done. Victoria told Peter that the date must be a cover to convince Michael that John had other interests. Peter marvelled at the intricacies. Victoria is confused. Peter comforted her.
Chad and MJ came back from Chicago. Cass looked at Chad. Chad said his mother had tried to get out but had kept slipping back in. MJ wouldn't let him blame himself. (One time he left one of his mother's boyfriends alone in the house with $20,000. Guess who was gone when he got back?) He told her about his little sister whom he has shielded from everything bad in life.
Scott talked about Archimedes and Bacon (bacon?) to set Dawn at ease.
John couldn't tie his tie. Donna offered to help. He refused. He noticed her hair and disapproved. He said she'd used to be wild and unkempt. (Not Donna. Never Donna. No backward Harlequin heroine, Donna; rather a very rich and exceedingly well-dressed debutante.) Donna told him she was different now. She thought about her wedding to Michael (the icky one).
Scott assured Dawn they wouldn't crash. She's Chad's sister. She's in the dark.
Chad had hustled Dawn out of the neighbourhood at twelve, because he didn't want his sister growing up to be a prostitute, more or less. (Does this SAY anything about the way he dealt with MJ? Chad was confused.) She does not know that their mother was a prostitute and she never will. She doesn't know yet that she's dead, either. MJ held his hand comfortingly. Cass kissed Felicia gratefully and watched her go to change with a peculiar expression.
Lisa is not saying the right things to Jamie. He takes it the wrong way when she expresses concern for him rather than for his patient. He feels unprofessional and inadequate. She told him he could be unprofessional with her and relieve his feelings. He cheered up. They decided to go to the party.
Chad worried because Dawn was late. She tumbled out of the elevator and into his arms, but noticed something was wrong.
Donna insisted on doing John's tie. Victoria came in and decided she had caught them in a compromising position.