Black Box

Previously on "Black Box"...

Know that new hostess at the restaurant? I slept with her.

See, if you fire her after you nail her, she can sue.

This dream of yours...

I know what you want.

I know what you need.

You know, it's a charming hotel with a quiet bar.

Join me for a drink.

I have to make a decision.

You can have both of us.

I can handle anything... anything but lies.

The Hotel Mirabella.

Aunt Kate and I ran into one of her doctor friends there...

The handsome one.

Thank you for seeing me so early. I...

You said you're in crisis.

Well, I just...

I did something... impulsive,

and I-I think it might be very wrong.

I-I don't know.

What happened?

We just got back from Joshua and Reagan's.

I was getting ready for bed and...

Do you want to tell me about this?

Don't try to play me, Catherine.

I know Bickman hangs out at the Mirabella.

Esme told me.

Is this where you were the night you told me you lost your phone?

- What? - Don't lie to me.

Okay, this is absurd.

I mean, the pen could be Bickman's.

Of course it can.

I mean, I could've picked it up at work.

You're keeping something from me.

Tell me what it is, or I'll leave.

You'll leave?

No, wait! Will, don't go.

I...

I have kept something from you. I...

Tell me now.

I'm Esme's mother.

You know, it just...

It just happened.

It just happened?

I mean, I was gonna have to tell him anyway, right?

I mean, if we're planning on spending the rest of our lives together...

Well, are you planning to spend the rest of your life with Will?

Let me guess.

He listened to you with love,

with understanding, with compassion.

I was 16. I started drinking.

I got pregnant, and the mood swings got worse.

The hormones...

I cycled into my first manic episode.

What about her father?

Johnny was long gone.

I was an inpatient on a psych ward when she was born.

I mean, I couldn't even take care of myself.

You never saw him again?

No.

Joshua and Reagan had only been dating a few months.

Reagan always knew she couldn't have children,

and she really wanted her on one condition...

that I would never tell anybody that she was mine.

She doesn't know?

No, no.

I mean, they may tell her one day,

but it's... It's up to them.

I mean, this is the most important promise

that I have ever made in my entire life,

and I just broke it.

You have to promise me...

Please, promise me that you won't ever tell anyone.

You can trust me.

You covered a lie by telling a truth you promised never to reveal.

You're judging me.

Oh, what do you expect? I'm human.

I thought you might help me.

I thought you might understand.

What do you think will happen

when Joshua and Reagan discover you broke your promise?

Honesty, integrity... These are not easy things,

but they're building blocks of love and character.

I've s... I've said this too many times.

Something's got to change.

I have an appointment with a psychiatrist,

Dr. Mahmoud, 10:00.

Dean Norwood.

I need your insurance information, Mr. Norwood.

And I need you to fill out these forms.

I'll let Dr. Mahmoud know you're here.

My... my problem won't be listed anywhere on these forms.

What is your problem, Mr. Norwood?

I'm dead.

I think you'd find this intake a lot more comfortable, Dean,

if we were in my office.

I don't sit still.

I'm a wanderer, a spirit that can't find rest.

What do you do for a living?

I was a mechanical engineer until the accident.

Tell me about the accident.

I got a motorcycle.

That's what guys do when their wives dump them.

I ended up skidding out in a downpour.

I crashed into the concrete median.

And then I died.

She was referred from the E.D. for her headaches.

She also complained of nausea and myalgia,

all of which are consistent with the flu.

I recommended the mother take her home.

- You recommended? - You have a brutal day.

I didn't want to waste your time.

All she needs is fluids and rest.

Okay. So, use the patient's name.

It keeps in mind that...

That she's a person and not a case, okay?

Okay, sure.

Well, I recommended that the mother take Lily home.

- Okay. Hello. - Hi.

I'm Dr. Black. Nice to meet you.

Hi.

Hello, Lily.

Can you get a blanket, please?

So, tell me what's been going on.

She started complaining about headaches and muscle aches

a couple of weeks ago, I think,

and... and then she started feeling sick to her stomach.

Can I just see your fingers?

Vomiting or just nausea?

Uh, no, this morning was the first time she actually threw up.

But I-I took her to the doctor a few times,

and he couldn't figure out what was wrong,

and, well, she was getting worse,

so I brought her to the E.R.

Can you tell me about your headaches?

It just, um... I don't know.

It just hurts really bad.

Can you look up for me?

All right.

That light make your headache worse?

She had any fever or a stiff neck?

Oh, the other day, yeah, she said it was...

It was hard to turn her neck.

All right.

So, I'd like to start her on some broad-spectrum antibiotics.

We're gonna need a lumbar puncture

and some blood cultures.

Antibiotics?

I thought she said she has the flu?

You see when she winced at the light?

- Uh-huh. - That's called photophobia.

Could be a symptom of meningitis,

but meningitis is treatable, okay?

As long as we get it fast.

So it's a good job that you didn't go home and get into bed.

Let me just make something easier here.

So, we'll get the nurse in right away, okay?

Thank you.

Do I need to say this?

I'm not a doctor.

I should not be giving my diagnosis to the patient.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

So, you suffered a moderate closed-head injury

with no permanent repercussions.

Uh, Dean, can you wait here for just a moment, please?

Hey.

Might not want to touch me.

There's...

Maggots.

Uh...

I understand that you have a real-life Cotard's Syndrome?

Is he textbook?

I'll have to do some research before I can make a definitive...

Oh, that won't be necessary.

I know everything you need to know about Cotard's...

A.K.A. walking dead syndrome...

Named by the French neurologist Jules Cotard in 1880.

The patient actually holds the delusional belief that they're dead, rotting,

missing blood and internal organs.

It's a nihilistic, hypochondriacal delusion.

Of course. This interests you.

I... have been waiting my whole career for this.

Do you mind if I...

By all means... join me.

Hello.

So, Lily's lumbar-puncture results came out normal.

There's no evidence of any known bacteria or virus.

Well, what does that mean?

I-if she doesn't have meningitis,

then how come she's sicker now

than when I brought her here this morning?

Dr. Black will be in soon to speak with you.

In the meantime, Lily needs to stay hydrated.

Mnh-mnh. Mnh-mnh.

- Honey, you need to have some water, okay? - It's all right, honey.

Oh, it's all right, honey.

- Lily. - It's just a little bit of water.

All right, it's okay.

Lily!