Zina Zaflow

When the annual bicycle messenger race takes place in Seattle, the hospital emergency room fills with an assortment of injuries, causing the interns to compete for the most severe cases. Meanwhile, Derek and Burke compete for the chief resident position, and while Derek continues to pursue Meredith romantically, a patient flirts with George.

When a 21-year-old woman is brought into the emergency room with stab wounds to the neck, Abby and Kovac desperately try to keep her alive while they wait for a surgeon to operate. As the victim's condition begins to deteriorate, Clemente (recurring guest star John Leguizamo) steps in and attempts a risky procedure in order to save her life. Meanwhile, Neela prepares all night long for a speech at a surgeons convention, but she is disappointed when her discourse goes awry. Ray treats a suicidal man claiming to have swallowed a bottle of pills. And Sam decides to take a part-time job with wealthy Richard Elliot (recurring guest star Armand Assante) to help pay for her childcare. Shohreh Aghdashloo ("House of Sand and Fog") guest stars as Riza Kardatay.

Jack finally comes across an object that might be a crucial discovery; Palmer questions Sherry about her involvement with a senior staff member; and Mason, without many hours to live, makes a leadership change at CTU.