- Dr. Daniel Auschlander: Most people associate hospitals with disease. I think of romance. But that's another story.
- Dr. Mark Craig: Dr. Domedion, I say this from the bottom of my heart, these years spent watching you have been an inspiration.
- Dr. David Domedion: Can the histrionics, Craig. You've been pandering me for four years. Your internship's over, so clam up.
- Dr. Mark Craig: You're right, sir. Foolish of me to think that I could pull the wool over the eyes of a man with such vision.
- Dr. David Domedion: What the hell is going on?
- Dr. Mark Craig: Four years I've looked up to you. I've watched your every move, I tried to emulate your techniques. I've looked forward to this day all my life and now I wish it had never arrived.
- Dr. David Domedion: Well, that's just too bad because here it is. Now, Mr. Kellogg is in there relying on you to save his life. This is no time to turn into a bonehead.
- Dr. Mark Craig: I'm a failure. Oh, Lord, how will I tell my father?
- Dr. David Domedion: Listen, I have not invested four years in you for nothing. You may be arrogant, self-centered, and opinionated, but you're never a failure until you stop trying! Besides, how do you think you look to those interns up in the gallery?
- [Craig walks up to the gallery]
- Dr. David Domedion: Pathetic. Like you don't have any.
- Dr. Mark Craig: I'll do the operation.
- Dr. David Domedion: Oh, goody.
- Father Joseph McCabe: Your father came by last week. He said you're getting to be a real pain in the keister. He said you haven't been to church in nearly a year.
- Donald Westphall: Don't need to. Not gonna make me a better person.
- Father Joseph McCabe: Well, maybe not, you little git. But you haven't been going to school either, and for sure that'll make you stupid.
- [It is 1955 and Drs. Craig and Westphall are discussing their future prospects as they complete their internship]
- Dr. Mark Craig: Did you know Ellen is pregnant?
- Dr. Donald Westphall: No! Terrific - congratulations!
- Dr. Mark Craig: [looking at his watch] In 58 minutes she and I are meeting a real estate agent to look at houses in Lincoln. I'm anxious to move to the suburbs now that we're expecting a new arrival.
- Dr. Donald Westphall: What are you hoping for?
- Dr. Mark Craig: What else? Two-storey colonial.
- [St Eligius hospital is hosting a celebration in the lobby to mark its 50th anniversary]
- Dr. Donald Westphall: Well, here we are: looking at the past, and thinking of the future. And like it or not we have to face our failings, and our mistakes, and our shortcomings. God knows we've seen enough pain, and death, so I suppose we should be depressed; but because this building stands here, and because of the people who have walked through that door, the human spirit prospers, and moves on. You know, it wasn't long ago that if a man came in here with a dying heart, all we could offer was solace; and now we can offer a transplant, and that to me is amazing. They call us a teaching hospital, but I find this a learning place; and whether it be nurses, or orderlies, or surgeons, or patients, we all have something to offer each other. And I want to salute those people who have brought us to this celebration, and to those who will lead us in the future. Daniel?
- Dr. Daniel Auschlander: [stepping to the microphone and raising his champagne glass] Happy birthday, St Eligius. To the future.
- [In 1955, the founder of St Eligius hospital, Father Joseph McCabe, has been fired as Chief Administrator by the Archbishop. He and Dr Auschlander are standing outside the hospital's main entrance]
- Dr. Daniel Auschlander: Your dismissal's a shame
- [...]
- Dr. Daniel Auschlander: I want you to know I'm going to tender my resignation.
- Father Joseph McCabe: Oh. Well now that's a problem, because I've recommended you to replace me. I need somebody I can trust to run my hospital.
- [He walks down the steps to the sidewalk, followed by an astonished Auschlander. They look up at the building]
- Father Joseph McCabe: Hardly a soul around has ever heard of St Eligius - the patron saint of artisans and craftsmen. My father was a cabinet maker; all his life he prayed to St Eligius - I figured he'd show us special attention. But judging from the way the roof is built, I'd say he was out to lunch a good deal of the time.
- [His voice choking with emotion]
- Father Joseph McCabe: Take care of my hospital, Daniel. She's been good to me.
- [In the hospital lobby in 1945, Daniel Auschlander is given a shoe shine by 16-year-old Donald Westphall, who is working to pay off money he has stolen from some patients. In an earlier scene Westphall had called Auschlander by a racial slur]
- Donald Westphall: You come from money?
- Daniel Auschlander, 1945: No; my family was worse than poor. My mother sewed in a sweatshop, my father pushed a clothing rack down 7th Avenue.
- Donald Westphall: No kidding. You could buy wholesale and you dress like that.
- Daniel Auschlander, 1945: [seeing Nurse Katherine Wellingham across the lobby] How much do I owe you?
- Donald Westphall: [polishing Auschlander's shoes] I'm not finished.
- Daniel Auschlander, 1945: [impatiently, taking coins from his pocket] It's all right, they look natty.
- Donald Westphall: [getting to his feet, sheepishly] Nah, this one's on me... 'cos I called you that name.
- Daniel Auschlander, 1945: [looks Donald in the eye for a moment, then decisively presses money into his hand] You keep the change.