Lesser of Two Evils

Mary Ellison is brought into Emergency after having collapsed in the streets. Mitch tries to examine her, only to find the young girl is terrified of him. Mitch is forced to call Terri in to help when Mary's mother turns up and seems even more horrified that a man might think about touching her daughter. Terri and Mitch are forced to work very closely together to unravel the mystery. The situation is further complicated when it is discovered that, while she looks fourteen, Mary is twenty-one and has a blood pressure level a middle-aged man would be worried about. Terri finally uncovers the truth and finds herself caught between her compassion for the mother and her horror at the twisted interpretation the woman has put on religion. When it is discovered that she has been feeding her young daughter steroids and hormones to avert the start of menstruation, Terri has to walk away. Bron and Ben have their hands full with a sad young man, Vince, who is desperate to prove his love to a woman called Tina. Refusing treatment the first time they are called out to him, Vince is soon in physical danger again. When it is discovered that the women is dead, killed in a car accident just the day before, Ben uses his own feelings for Steph to talk Vince out of hurting himself. Steph, still trying to make sense of her life, is saddled with a family who cares just a little too much. While their mother recovers from surgery, the family gather in a bedside vigil, making Steph's life hell. Connor, trying to cope with his continued wariness over the new gay ward clerk and run off his feet on a particularly busy day, is accused of stealing money from a patient's wallet. Despite his protestations to the contrary, Connor can't be sure if the money was there in the first place. Jared's patient is unconscious, stable and has an unusually large penis. The news spreads like wildfire through the ward and everyone but Connor seems impressed. Finally, unable to deny his curiosity, Connor sneaks in to have a look… only to have the patient wake up and catch him.