Highlight on the Hill

01

Zoe Hart, who was sitting on a bus, voiced, "See that New Yorker in the Chanel jacket that doesn't quite fit in? That's me. Dr. Zoe Hart. The girl in the blue plaid shirt behind me is my twin sister Dr. Samantha Hart. Yesterday we took a cab to our jobs at one of Manhattan's best hospitals. Today, we're on a bus in the middle of nowhere. But I guess our journey really began four years ago, when I gave commencement at our medical school graduation."

FOUR YEARS EARLIER

Zoe delivered the commencement address. "The first time I held a scalpel I was nine..."

"Our publicist mother complained I didn't thank her enough in my speech."

"...Samantha and my dad and I snuck off and dissected ours..."

"But there was someone in the crowd who liked it..."

A man approached Zoe and Samantha. "Dr. Hart? That was quite a speech."

"Thank you," Young Zoe replied.

"My name is Harley Wilkes. I'm from Bluebell, Alabama. I have a small private practice there. It's a great town, great people, and a great place for two young doctors to hone their craft. I'd like to offer you two a job."

"Thanks, that's really flattering... but Samantha and I have a plan. After I finish my surgical residency, I'll do a fellowship in thoracics, then I'll go on to become a cardiothoracic surgeon like my dad. Samantha has her heart set on pediatrics, so she's gonna become the best pediatrician she can be. Our last name's Hart, so it's pre-destined. Your offer is really sweet - thanks, though. Bye."

"Our mother never wanted me to be a surgeon or Samantha to be a pediatrician..."

"Congratulations," Young Candace said.

"...she thought the fluorescent lights would give me wrinkles or that the kids would constantly get Samantha sick."

"I know you'll be happy following in your father's footsteps. Can't help but notice he didn't make it. I know that must be disappointing for you two, but that's your father. Always thinking about himself."

Young Samantha pursed her lips. "He wanted to be here, but he couldn't get out of Germany. Some diplomat needed a pacemaker put in."

"Is that Katie Couric? Katie!"

Zoe spoke again. "Despite Mom's 'support', Samantha and I had it all. The most amazing boyfriends who got what it was like to be a surgeon and a pediatrician, too. The best part was, we all were going to do our residencies in the hospital where our dad did his, in the best city in the world - New York. My plan, was on track... Well, it's four years later and you know I wouldn't be sitting next to a guy who smells like fake cheese and chum if it had turned out like I hoped."

NEW YORK HOSPITAL

"First, the man I loved, dumped me because I liked talking about surgery more than I liked talking about his day. Samantha dumped her boyfriend after she found him in bed with a nurse. It wasn't the first time either."

"But our dad taught us that to be a great surgeon, you can't let feelings get in the way. Samantha lets her feelings rule her, which works with kids. So I kept my pain inside. Samantha hid some of her pain. I could, because I was a shoo-in for-"

"What do you mean I didn't get the cardio thoracic fellowship? No one wanted this more than me! I already did a solo coronary bypass! And Samantha's being replaced?!"

The chief said, "Zoe, you have the best hands I've seen in thirty years. But if you want to be a heart surgeon, then you've got to work on your own. We found someone older, with more experience."