A Sweet Surprise
Little known fact around here, but we have our own ice cream carts. In summer, they're wheeled out for good behavior. Since there hasn't been a Euclid class breach in over a month... ice cream party, y'all!
It's Friday afternoon, and while it's insanely hot outside, everybody has been chill. So chill in fact Dr. Gears has authorized use of the ice cream carts to deliver pints of frozen goodwill throughout Euclid containment.
Rob, one of the interns, is walking with me throughout the wing. We're passing out the pints of dairy deliciousness to various residents. How it works is a bit like Oprah and cars... YOU get ice cream, and YOU get ice cream, and YOU in the back gets ice cream... EVERYBODY GETS ICE CREAM! Before long we reach my old friend, 049. I knock on the door to his quarters.
"Hiya, Doc! You busy?"
"For you, Rabbit? I always have time. I see things are a bit... hectic."
"Not too hectic, I've got time for a break. Care for some ice cream on this overly warm Friday?"
"Ice cream?"
"Yeah... Dr. Gears said everybody was behaving for once, so... you all get some creamy frozen treats. Any preference, 049?"
"Any chance of some strawberry?"
"Let me see..." Rob starts rooting through the cart. "Uh, no plain strawberry left but there's strawberry cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberry, or strawberry mango sorbet." He pipes up after a quick search.
"Surprise me, young man."
Rob picks a pint at random. "Ah, strawberry cheesecake it is." He slides the pint and a plastic spoon through the slot in 049's door. The Doc takes his treat.
"Thank you, my friends. I shall enjoy this immensely." We move on. I check the list. Amazingly, we're out of Euclid deliveries. Rob taps me on the arm.
"Hey, Dr. Snow? Think Doc would like some company? Kind of feel bad, he doesn't get a lot of visitors."
"Officially, I'm supposed to advise against that. But... he knows the rules, as do you. Just stay on your side, and I'll act like I never saw anything. If Site Command asks, you're thinking of medical training, wanted his opinion on the idea. It's a convincing enough lie."
"Especially since it's mostly true. See you later, Dr. Snow." I leave to put the cart away, icy payloads delivered. On my way back, I see a sight that makes me feel slightly better about how things are here: Rob and 049, having a lively conversation about the arduous task of becoming a physician. 049 is happy to give his expertise to his fellow healers, although few dare take him up on it. Glad he and Rob are getting on, though. I think 049 gets a bit lonely like the rest of us from time to time. Having a new friend will be good for both of them.