Carter is deeply affected by the death of a teenage hit and run victim, and fumbles badly when notifying the parents. Benton gets competitive with another surgical resident. Doug mishandles helping a child with a schizophrenic mother. A patient's cell phone accidentally sets off nearby electronic equipment, while another is brought in handcuffed to his mistress. Benton's zeal for his work interferes with his family obligations. Doug makes a clumsy attempt at reconciling with Carol.

The air conditioning quits on the hottest day in October. Coupled with closed ERs in two other city hospitals, the end result is an extremely hectic day. With his wife out of town and the babysitter experiencing car trouble, Mark is forced to bring Rachel to work with him. Doug treats a five-year-old suffering from a cocaine overdose. Ivan, the liquor store owner, shoots and seriously wounds a young teenager. Susan's sister Chloe drops by, wreaking havoc in Susan's life and absconding with a number of valuables. Doug hooks up with a pharmaceuticals representative.