Despite the extreme heat, resulting from a broken air conditioner, the dedicated physicians of County General Hospital contend with a variety of emergencies.

With his wife, Jennifer (CHRISTINE HARNOS), in Milwaukee looking for an apartment to start her legal clerkship, Dr. Mark Greene (ANTHONY EDWARDS) brings daughter Rachel (YVONNE ZIMA) to the ER, going in on his day off. There, he and Dr. Douglas Ross (GEORGE CLOONEY) treat a 5-year-old girl with heart problems. They discover she accidentally swallowed cocaine. Dr. Peter Benton (ERIQ LA SALLE) continues his one-upmanship game with Dr. Langworthy (TYRA FERRELL), but neither of them can save a young hoodlum shot by liquor store owner Ivan Gregor (JOHN LA MOTTA), who is not injured this time.

Dr. Susan Lewis (SHERRY STRINGFIELD) is concerned that her lazy sister Chloe's (KATHLEEN WILHOITE) mental problems are worsening, and now Chloe wants to stay with her.