Dr. Leslie Buck, PhD
Meet Dr. Leslie Buck, psychology PhD. Meryl found him on Craigslist. He's arrived to help deal with Grenadines worsening condition. His melodic voice and penetrating eyes are sure to soothe the discord and sort out the chaos in the house.
Opal Quincy, Fan Girl/Nurse in Training
Much Ado About Nothing
Meanwhile, the big moment between Gene and Vlad to consummate their Love has passed.
Gene longs for what could have been, and Vlad is tense, suddenly self-conscious. He wants Gene to tell him something he's heard on TV many times, that "it happens to everybody," but Gene is silent. Her impatience is far too great to allow her to comfort Vlad, yet secretly she's hoping this isn't the end.
A No Frills Kind of Guy
Downstairs, Dr. Leslie makes his introductions to Meryl. "No need for formalities," he tells her. "Just call me Dr. Leslie."
Opal watches from a few feet away admiring Dr. Leslie's excellent way with introductions, greetings, and first meetings in general. She wonders if he will introduce her as well...
While Dr. Leslie skips over Opal's introduction, he does instruct her to take care of the bags.
Opal is on top of the bags. She'll take any opportunity she can get to show Dr. Leslie she's got what it takes to be his top protégée.
A Time for Action
Once upstairs, Meryl and Dr. Leslie discuss what they're about to deal with: Grenadine on the bathroom floor, where she's been holed up for the last two days.
Meryl goes in first and tries to single-handedly lift Grenadine up off the floor.
But she buckles under the weight. Grenadine is whiskey-soaked and heavy.
Dr. Leslie grabs her legs and they proceed into the hall.
Together they stumble. Meryl slams her back into the wall trying to carry her comatose cousin.
Grenadine's whiskey falls from her robe pocket, but only Mr. Puddles bears witness.
Finally, Dr. Leslie and Meryl get Grenadine into Meryl's bed, where she will sleep off the drink while the visitors settle in.
On his way out of Meryl's room, something catches Dr. Leslie's eye...
It appears to be an altar of sorts holding a crystal ball, a textbook on black magic, and oddly, a photograph of Clark Gable. Whatever Merrill is into, Dr. Leslie is intrigued.
Marie, always ready to serve, has cracked open a box of donuts and broken the protective seal on a fresh jug of milk.
The household gathers round. Everyone is curious about the good doctor.