Peter Benton quotes from E.R.

Jeanie

I need to know if you're planning to tell anyone that I'm positive.

Benton

No, I'm not. Jeanie, look, I don't agree with what you're doing, but how you handle your patients, that's your responsibility.

Jeanie

Thank you.

Benton

But I want you to stay away from my patients and I don't want to be in a trauma room with you.

Benton's no Mr. Rogers.

Benton

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood boys and girls.

We're all human. We all make mistakes.

Benton

Any other words of wisdom, Gant?

You're a real prick, you know that?

I'm sorry, I should have never left you unsupervised. There are nuances in neonatal surgery. The liver's more friable in newborns.

Benton

I wanted a clean field before I closed.

Yeah, you said that.

Benton

It seemed appropriate.

What's at issue here is that you ignored my specific instructions.

Benton

I didn't ignore anything! I followed standard operative procedure. Look, I've done it at least a dozen times in other patients.

This is not "another patient"! This is an infant! Outside, now.

You don't know anything about pediatric surgery!

Benton

Look, I thought it was necessary -

Are you unwilling to learn from your mistakes?

Benton

It doesn't say in the text not to stitch a liver!

It isn't in the text! You didn't know what the hell you were doing! The second you realized you screwed up you should have called me. Why did I find 3 stitches in there?

Benton

Because I tried to -

Because you arrogantly and blindly think that you have all the answers! If that baby dies, it'll be my responsibility, but it'll be your fault!

Benton

I came by to see if you'd reconsider writing me a recommendation. I mean, you've always complimented my surgical skills and with a recommendation, I could get another Pediatric rotation.

And if I don't?

Benton

What do you mean if you don't?

Will you report my relationship with Dr. Carter?

Benton

You think I'm threatening you?

Are you?

Benton

Dr. Keaton, if your recommendation isn't based on my abilities as a doctor, I don't want it.

Malik

Whose beeper is that?

Benton

It's coming from the patient.

Malik

[looking at the beeper] Lydia, what number did you page Gant to?

Lydia

This room, 3376.

Malik

That's the number on this pager.

Maggie

[Takes the pager from Malik. Realizes] Oh, my God.

Carter

What?

Maggie

The patient! It's Gant!

Carter

[Beat. Carter takes a closer look at the patient's face.] Dennis? [Benton and Carter look at each other, horrified.] Oh, sweet Jesus.

Benton

Dr. Coburn, I wanted to apologize for my behavior this morning in the delivery.

Thank you, but it's unnecessary. I've never met a father who could handle it sensibly, calmly, maturely. If I ever do, that's the guy I'm really gonna slap around.

Benton

The baby may have brain damage developmental problems, autism, retardation. They can't even say.

Jackie Robbins

Or he might be fine, right? Either way, you're gonna love him more than you can even imagine.

Benton

I can't handle it.

Jackie Robbins

Sure you can. You'll have to. That's your son up there. The world is hard sometimes. It can't always go the way you want it to go.

Carter

You know, I'm not your student anymore.

Benton

I know that.

Carter

Then you can treat me like any other colleague.

Benton

You're not a colleague. You're an intern!

Carter

For three years, I did everything you asked of me and more. I deserved your respect because I earned it.

Benton

And you threw it away!

Carter

Why? Because I don't want to be like you?

Benton

No, because you wasted my time.

Carter

This isn't about your time. This is about your egotism.

Benton

Yeah, yeah, right, Carter. I'm egotistical. You know what? I got a lot of people that worked that damn hard to make sure I am where I am and for them, I got be self-centered. I don't take time for anything. But, you... man, man. I did for you, Carter. I did, man. You decide you don't want to be a surgeon, you don't come to me. You go to Anspaugh.

Carter

Well, I was afraid you'd talk me out of it.

Benton

I wish I had the chance to try.

Carter

Hey, okay. You're right. I'm sorry.

Benton

Can I go home now?

Carter

Yeah.

Benton

You know what, Carter? You don't wanna be treated like my student? Stop seeking my approval.

Elizabeth

Peter Benton, Rocket Romano.

Romano

Dr. Benton. Hey, Lizzie's talked about you. Tell me something. Do you think Chris Rock is funny?

Benton

Excuse me?

Romano

The comedian, Chris Rock. He did that HBO special. Must have used the N-word 50 times; N-word this, N-word that. They're calling him a genius. If I went around saying the N-word, you'd probably want to smack the hell out of me. Am I right?

Benton

[long pause] I think Chris Rock is hilarious. [walks away]

Romano

[calling after him] Good to meet you!

Elizabeth

Have a good night!

Romano

[ironically] You're right. I like him.

Benton

What about you? You got any kids?

Romano

Ha! None they've been able to pin on me.

Benton

These seminars are a waste of time. All they want to know is if I've ever killed anybody.

Carter

What do you tell them?

Benton

Just med students.

Romano

Thanks for taking care of it, Pete.

Benton

Dr. Romano... It's Peter. You called me Pete.

Romano

What, nobody in your whole life's ever called you Pete?

Benton

No.

Romano

"Pete Benton", it sounds so natural, you gotta be kidding me.

Benton

Peter. Just Peter.

Romano

Huh. Wow. Petey?

Benton

Peter.

Elizabeth

It's been a long day. I could use a drink. How about you?

Benton

No. I don't drink.

Elizabeth

Your body's made up of 60 percent water, Peter. You must drink something.

Benton

Elizabeth, you know what I mean.

Elizabeth

Well, have a lemonade, or a Yoo-Hoo, for all I care.

[just entered the ER] What the hell is this?

Anna

You can't come in here, the ER's contaminated!

What happened?

Anna

They just showed up covered in benzine. Okay, somebody clear out the lobby!

Jerry

[yelling back at the Paramedic who's shouting at him] You didn't control the scene! They came here in a pickup truck!

Carter

MOVE THIS GURNEY OUT OF THE WAY.

Carter

Alright, EVERYBODY SHUT UP!!! EVERYBODY shut up! [Jeanie: Send them to Mercy!] We are going to evacuate the entire ER. Check every room, all contaminated patients and staff, go to the ambulance bay right now!

Malik

Wait a minute, how do we know who's contaminated?

Carter

If you got a spot on your skin, if you got a spot on your gurney, if you got a spot on your clothes, go outside right now!

Benton

Alright, you heard him! Move, move, move, go!