CHAPTER 86: Reasons To Be Cheerful

 

"Good morning....Jarrod, I'm Dr Julia Epstein and I believe you're going home today?" said Julia, checking the patient's notes.

"Uh, yeah, I've got to get a shot before I do" said the boy, looking nervous.  "Will it hurt?"

Julia looked at the notes again and saw that Dr Murakami was Jarrod's consultant.  "Well, the needles and techniques are getting better all the time.  Whatever you feel will soon wear off.  The important thing is getting you all better and then you can go home and have lots of playtime" she said, trying to reassure the boy.

Julia checked the boy's temperature and blood pressure, updated the chart and moved on.  She was determined to clear her case load and bag that long awaited promotion.  Her next stop was Miss Kacie Roche who had a curious case of blotches and rashes all over her skin.  

"Good morning, Miss Roche, I'm Dr Epstein and I'm here to do a few tests."

"Yeah....just do what you have to do, Doctor" said a weary sounding Miss Roche.

Julia checked her eyes with her pen torch but that seemed to disorient the patient.  Checking her temperature she found that it was just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Finally, she took an oral swab for testing.

If there was one area Julia could improve her medical skills, it was analysing patient samples.  She'd been studying hard and observing the other, more experienced doctors to improve her skills and she wanted to get a good result this time so she could make progress in clearing cases instead of spending a whole day doing test after test because she'd read the data incorrectly the first or second time.  Taking extra care with the patient sample, she put the saliva swab in the chemical analyser and meticulously followed the procedure to get the best results.

Once she had the lab report, she was intercepted by Dr Murakami.  "Ah, Dr Epstein...what have we here?  This is Miss Roche's sample report, if I'm not mistaken" she said, gently snatching the report from Julia's hand.

"Looking at these results, what do you think is the most likely diagnosis of Miss Roche's illness?" said Dr Murakami.

Julia thought hard: She had only seen the results of the test for a moment but....the swirling rash, the disorientation....she remembered something from a lecture at medical school.  "Triple Threat, Dr Murakami!" she blurted out.

"Indeed.  Triple Threat.  Well spotted, Dr Epstein.  Of course a doctor as young as yourself won't have the experience to treat Triple Threat properly so I'll be taking over the case" said the senior doctor.

"But...will I get credit for making the diagnosis?" asked Julia, nervously.

"I will be sure to mention you in my notes" replied a calm Dr Murakami.

Julia was worried that Dr Murakami would go back on her word; she'd done that before.  She rarely gave credit or even shared it.  Julia walked to the hospital lobby to check on who had been admitted and needed an examination.

"We have this little lady, Kristy St Clair" said Francesca, the senior nurse who was on the admissions desk today.  She pointed to a very dainty and prim little black girl who was standing bravely with her father at the desk.

"She doesn't think there isn't anything wrong with her, Doctor" said Mr St Clair.  "but she's been off her food and been very lethargic at home"

"Well, let's see if we can get to the bottom of this, eh Kristy?" said Julia, in a friendly  and reassuring voice.

Julia took Kristy to a hospital bed and did her checks on the child from asking about why she'd gone off her food to taking her temperature and looking into her ears and throat.  Things were progressing well when Julia felt she was getting unnaturally hot and flushed.  Unless someone had ramped up the heating in the hospital she was starting to come down with something!

"Ugh....must....get....to....pharmacy...." said Julia to herself.  She knew she'd caught Triple Threat and wanted to stop it before she came down fully with it.  Treating it very early, if you knew the symptoms, was crucial.

She staggered down the corridor to Pharmacy, where she slumped up against the counter there.  The pharmacist on duty looked shocked.

"Dr Ephraim!" 

"It's...Epstein"

"Sorry, Dr Epstein....what's the matter?"

"Triple Threat....need....medicine...now"

"For you?  Sure....let's see.  That's for bloated head....no, that's for torpid liver....hmmm....coated tongue..."

"TRIPLE THREAT! NOW!" said Julia, raising her voice.

"Ah, got it!  Here we go and if you'll sign right here..."

But Julia didn't wait.  She glugged the whole bottle down in one go.

The effects were almost instantaneous and soon she was standing upright, able to see properly and get on with her shift.  She went back to check on Kristy St Clair.  

"How are you settling in, Kristy, are you comfortable?" she asked.

"I want to go home, really there's....nothing....wrong....oh I feel sleepy all of a sudden" said the little girl.

"I'll go and chase up that lab report" said Julia.

Back at the lab, Julia encountered Dr Murakami again.  "Looking for this?" said the Chief Surgeon, holding Kristy's medical notes.  "Your diagnosis, Dr Epstein"

"Erm....my initial thoughts were Bloated Head, judging on my initial examination" Julia replied.

"And you'd be correct.  I must say you're on fire today" said Murakami, unaware that not half an hour ago Julia had a raging temperature.

"Thank you, Dr Murakami" said a humble Julia.  

"Actually, you've done well these last couple of weeks....how about we move you up one level?  It'll mean extra work, lots of study and more responsibility"

"I'll take it!" said Julia, standing straight and smiling.

"Good, that's what I like to hear from a young doctor on my team"

The long awaited promotion at last!  Julia left the lab and punched the air in triumph when no one was looking.  She finished her paperwork and ended her shift with a spring in her step....time to unwind!

One of the surprising things about her social life right now is that she'd become friendly with a young woman she should, on the surface, despise.  Jolene Scholl was an attractive swinging chick and a Lothario Kitten; the epitome of the permissive and sexed society.  Julia was none of those things and she even downplayed her own attractiveness as a reaction against the mod culture.  However the two women had struck up an unlikely friendship because they had many things in common:  They loved music and the arts and had similar senses of humour.  Now they had arranged to meet up at the Harbor Quarter Gym to exercise and hang out.

They changed into their exercise leotards and began to work out running on treadmills and doing calisthenics.

"So....phew....I got a promotion today" said Julia.

"Congratulations, you were wondering if your boss had it in for you if I remember" replied Jolene.

"I know, but I think she's warming up to me now.  How about your work?"

"I've been doing photoshoots for the forthcoming Lothario book.  Modelling is new to me and there's a lot of posing and pouting involved.  A far cry from medicine!"

"I hope it's not....well....too shocking.  Your photo shoot I mean"

"It's mainly fashion although I did have to lie across one of those Ford racing cars in my Kitten outfit.  But I don't want to shock you!"

"I like you too much to judge" said Julia.  "Phew!  That run was exhausting...how about a swim in the pool downstairs?"

"Now we're talking!" replied Jolene.

"Now this is exercise I really like!" said Julia.

"Hmmm, I agree" replied Jolene.  "Don't look now, Julia but I think that guy is checking you out" she said, nodding towards a well muscled young man with longish hair and a neatly trimmed beard.

"No...he must be checking you out" replied Julia.  "You're the one who gets into the magazines"

"Nah-ah....it's definitely you he's interested in.  What do you think of your admirer?"

"Hmmm, I'm not sure.  I don't have a type, really.  I suppose I'm more drawn to personality and intellect than chiselled biceps, strong chests and pert....calves".  Julia shook herself out of looking at the man and focussed once again.

"Anyway this was great and we must do it again some time soon" said Julia, hopping out of the pool.

"I enjoyed it too" said Jolene.  "I was only gently teasing you about that guy...but don't sell yourself short in that department; you're cuter than you think."

"I'm just holding out for Mr Right when...and if...he comes along" said Julia.

She said her goodbyes to Jolene and headed home, still feeling light headed and happy about her promotion.  As she got to her house, she saw the local pizza guy returning home from a delivery.

"Hello!" said Julia, enthusiastically. "A lovely evening, isn't it?"

"Erm...I guess.  I made more than usual in tips this evening" said the pizza guy, not sure what to make of this overenthusiastic woman on his route.

"That's wonderful...from small acorns grow mighty oaks!" said Julia.  "I got promoted today"

"Cool" said the guy, looking around him to see if she was perhaps talking to someone else.

"And you should always be grateful...promotions, extra tips, being admired from afar...."

"Admired from afar?" said the guy, confused.

"Yes.  I'm saying that tonight you are the local pizza delivery guy but tomorrow...."

"It's my day off...I thought I'd go bowling"

"Make the most of it!" said Julia.

"Yeah, well, thanks....I guess.  I gotta go" said the pizza guy.

"Bon chance!" said Julia, looking up at the night sky and smiling that....finally....she was moving up in the world.

CHAPTER 85: In The Name Of Action

Action was pushing the limits....he had a daily routine to keep his body in A-1 shape because, in his line of work, being stronger and faster could just give him the edge over a violent perp.  No pain, no gain was his motto when he worked out.  Action was a man who worked hard...but also played hard as well.

Unfortunately, it seemed more like playing hard to get.  He'd been working long, arduous shifts at the police department and had excluded his social life in the process.  His girlfriend, Katharine, was busy too and they'd hardly seen each other in the last two weeks.  Were they drifting apart?  That question had cropped up more than once in recent weeks but Action was torn....he was very fond of her, enjoyed every moment they got to spend together but so many things got in the way of them meeting up and he feared that it was becoming too easy to take a rain check with her.  Well, today there could be no excuses...sure, his fitness regime would take up most of the morning but after that he decided that time spent with his girl was going to be the priority.

He'd set up a date with her at the Villa Bovine: An upmarket Italian restaurant specialising in steaks done the continental way.  After showering he put on his cutting edge red and black silk lounge suit and made his way to Newcrest, eagerly anticipating meeting Katharine.  

"Table for two in the name of Action" he said to the Villa Bovine's hostess.

"No need to be that strict, sir, we're only here to help" said the surprised and alarmed hostess.

"No, you misunderstand...my name's Action."

"Oh I see.  I do apologise, sir, how silly of me....yes, I have your booking here and your companion is already waiting for you."

"Oh is she" said an intrigued Action.  The hostess led him to his table where he saw that Katharine was already there; a vision in thin wisps of yellow.

"Dang, girl, you look like a cross between Aphrodite and Cleopatra!" said an impressed Action.

"High praise indeed" said Katharine.

"I hope I haven't kept you waiting long" he replied.

"Well, I know a lady should keep a gentleman waiting but I'm not your usual lady"

"That's OK, I'm not your usual gentleman either"

They both smiled at each other and Action nonchalantly waved to get the waiter's attention.

"Welcome to the Villa Bovine, sir and madam; my name's Zane and I'll be your waiter today.  Would you like the wine list first?"

"Tell me, Zane, do you still have the '62 Chianti Classico in the cellar?" said Action.

"We do have a few bottles of that vintage, sir, yes"

"I think you'll like this one, Katharine...do you mind if I order for both of us?" said Action.

"You seem to know a good thing when you taste it" she replied.

"And when I see it" said Action, raising a seductive eyebrow to her.  "Then the '62 Chianti it is then."

"Have you always been this smooth, Action?" said Katharine.

"Ever since I could walk and talk, darlin'" he replied.

"So..." began Katharine.  We've got a lot of catching up to do"

"I know...I've been bad at making time for you" said Action.

"I'm to blame as well." She replied.  "Don't beat yourself up"

"I get enough of that with my job" he said.

They ordered their meals and drinks and sat back to enjoy a fine lunch.  After some initial awkwardness about them not meeting each other much, they soon let that care slip away as smooth as the wine slipped down their throats.  Now they were back to being intimate friends who shared a frisson whenever they were together.

Action had only made plans for lunch but he didn't want this day to end so soon so he put it to Katharine that nearby was the Orange Peel club where they could dance and let their hair down.  She readily agreed.

"You know I just realised something" said Action.

"What's that?" she replied.

"We've never danced together"

"Let's change that, shall we?" she said, offering him her arm.

They did it all:  The Watusi, The Mash Potato, The Twist, Monkey Style....and they owned the dance floor.  Their moves only outshone by the unspoken passion of the moment.  Things were getting steamy and The Orange Peel had a way of lowering the inhibitions of people who frequented it.

"Hmmm, this is good" said Katharine.

"You said it, girl" replied Action.

"How about we....." she said, in between kisses.

"...move to your place or mine?  Let's say mine" he replied, kissing her once more.  "But first, I need to go to the bathroom."

He went downstairs to the gaudily lit bathrooms at the Orange Peel.  After he did what he needed to do, he helped himself to one of the complimentary manly colognes on offer...he weighed up the choice of Heave Ho or Machismo X.  He opted for the latter and checked to see if he had any prophylactics on him just in case he had to use the vending machine nearby.  He was good to go.

They made their way back home to Willow Creek, arm in arm.

"This has been a great day, Action.  Thanks for planning it" said Katharine.

"I just booked the restaurant...the rest was pure us, baby" he replied.

She rested her head on his shoulder.  "Pure us" she repeated, contently.  "So, we're back on?"

"We never stopped" he replied, smiling at her.

They arrived at his house and she noticed a few cans of paint on the porch.  "Been doing some decorating?" she asked.

"Well...last week I renovated my bedroom.  Sorry for the mess outside but the trashman doesn't come until Wednesday."

They went straight to bed and Katharine was impressed by the new look of his room.  "A real man cave" she said.

"Just making it a place of comfort...and passion" he said.

With the lights down low and the music from the club still ringing in their heads, the two dived under the covers for a night of passion.  When Action awoke, he found that Katharine wasn't next to him...instead, he could smell something cooking coming from his kitchen.  The girl had only gone and woken up before him and was making breakfast for them both.

"Let's make a promise" he said, looking at his meal and smiling.  "We don't leave it so long until we meet again?"

Chapter 84: On A Perfect Day

 

Suzy Kent saw magazine proprietor, Alan Cuffe, going for an exercise run past her house and she decided to catch his attention as she had something on her mid she wanted to raise with him.

"Mr Cuffe!" she shouted.  Cuffe stopped and turned to face her.

"Suzy....how many times do I have to tell you, call me Alan."

"Oh, sure, Alan.  Do you have a moment?"

"For you, Suzy, always"

"I need a way in with the Landgraabs...Malcolm has approached some friends of mine trying to get the dirt on me...I know I'm on to something a lot bigger here; but I need some inside dope, so to speak"

Cuffe thought for a moment before responding.  "You're really serious about this expose, aren't you?  Well I don't know Malcolm Landgraab at all but I know his parents.  Leave this with me"

"Thanks Alan" said Suzy.  Alan gave her a double pistol finger sign off and continued on his run.

She could hear a phone ringing in the distance and then realised it was HER phone!  She ran quickly back home, not an easy feat in go-go boots, and made it just in time to answer.

"Hello, Suzy Kent here?" she said, gasping for air.

"It's Neil...you sound exhausted, what have you been up to?"

"Well....I was outside and heard the phone ring halfway down the street.  How are you?  It seems like ages since we hung out"

"It's been too long, Honey.  I was wondering if you were free today?  I'm heading over to Lykke Centre and could really do with seeing you"

"Try stopping me!" she replied.

She wasted no time getting to the ultra-modern Lykke Centre with it's impressive views of the harbour and modern sculptures set among scenic walkways.  Neil was already there and when the two saw each other they ran towards each other and embraced tightly.

"Hmmmm, you feel good!" said Suzy.  "Hey, remember there was a time when you'd flinch if I tried to hug you?"

"I was very uptight back then.  You've brought me out of my shell, that's for sure.  Let's sit down and enjoy the view"

"This is a lovely spot, Neil.  You have good taste" she said.

"Thanks.  I like to come down here and paint sometimes.  So much inspiration" he replied.  "Next time, I would like to paint you...with the sailing boats in the background."

"My very own portrait?  You romantic, you!" she said before leaning and and giving him a warm, loving kiss.

Neil was left speechless after that.  They continued to make out until he grabbed her hand and started showing her all the impressive, large modern sculptures the Lykke Centre was renowned for.

"You've shown me what you like here...let me show you what I like in particular" said Suzy.

"What?" replied Neil.

Suzy laid down on the ground and looked skyward.  "The sky.  Today is particularly blue with the whitest, puffiest clouds I've seen in a long time.  Will you join me?"

"What, on the ground?"

"Have you never just lain down and watched the sky?" she said, tilting her head up towards him.

"Erm...not since I was a child"

"Give it a go, now" she said, patting the ground next to her.

"But what if people see us? Won't it look weird?" he said, looking around.

"Probably....but let's have a little fun anyway" she replied, again patting the ground next to her.

Neil looked sceptical but eventually he joined her on the ground and looked up at the clouds...now he could understand why she wanted to do this: The view was inspiring.

"You know..." he began to say "this is what I like about being with you; you inspire me to try new things, to loosen up, to let my mind race away"

"I have my uses" she joked.  "How about we head over to the club over there" she said, pointing at the Discotheque Pan Europa.

"What better way to follow lying on the ground, looking at the sky than to dance and listen to loud music?" he said with a smile.

Suzy was right at home on a dance floor, grooving to the latest hit record.  Neil could only look on in awe and thank his lucky stars he was her boyfriend.  She was equally adept at striking up conversations with people she barely knew.  She wasn't a flirt or social gadfly...she was just at ease in a group and he could see how good she would be in her career as a journalist with her finger on the pulse of pop culture.

After a few hours dancing, drinking and socialising Neil and Suzy walked arm in arm along the embankment and towards the subway station.

"So, what happens next?" asked Suzy.

"You mean, 'your place or mine'?" he replied.

"Just that"

"I wish I had more than a small apartment to wine and dine you in" said Neil.

"Mine it is then....I have a nice bottle of red wine that needs sharing"

"Sounds good to me" said Neil, warmly accepting the offer.

He got a lot more than that when they ended up at Suzy's house.  They made a meal together, with Neil concocting a fine tasting salad dressing, enjoyed lively banter and he then offered to do the dishes.  In short, he felt totally at home at her place.

As they snuggled on the couch Suzy turned to Neil, gazed into his eyes and said "I wish this day wouldn't end"

Neil nodded.  "It's been perfect"

"Even the bit where I made you lie on the ground?" joked Suzy.

"In hindsight, that was the highlight"

Suzy thought for a moment and bit her bottom lip as she toyed around with an idea she had in her head.

"Neil?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Why not make this day last longer?  Why not stay here?" she asked.

"What, stay over the night?" he replied.

"I was thinking something longer term....why don't we....you know...."

"Live together?" he said, his jaw almost hitting the floor.

"Too much?  I've said too much!" said a worried Suzy.

"No!  Not at all!  I like it!" he said, touching her arm and smiling from ear to ear.

"Great!....Wow, this is going to be so fab!" she said, enthusiastically.

"I know....but, well, we need to establish whether my bed is more comfortable or yours...so how about we..."

"Test mine out first?" she said, flirtatiously.

"You took the words right out of my mouth" he replied.

 

CHAPTER 83: A Little Extra

 

Jeremy had returned from his morning run to find that Barbara had gone in to work and, mysteriously, a new pie chart had appeared on the study noticeboard.  He looked at it, not recognising it as anything from his place of work at all.  Instead it was an expenditure/projected profit analysis of the retail market in clothing.  Could this be a project Barbara was working on?  But she worked at Hamburgerman fast food restaurant!

He didn't have time to dwell on this as he had to get to work himself but the thought was in his mind that Barbara had a little secret....it made her seem more cute as it clearly wasn't a terrible one otherwise she wouldn't have left a huge, incriminating pie chart for him to see.  Nevertheless, he had a wry smile about it.

When Barbara finished her morning shift at Hamburgerman she went straight home.  Now that she had some numbers about how much the shop would cost, she would need to save up, probably work double shifts and look for extra income.  She had a contact at the Farmers' Market who said some money could be made from people harvesting plants and fruit they've grown themselves so she went around the back of Crick Cabana to gather some lavenders for sale.  However, as she bent down to gather the flowers, she noticed that her work blouse seemed a little too snug fitting....yep, she'd put on weight; probably as a result of all those lovely meals out she was having with Jeremy.  It was time to hit the gym!

She didn't like the little roll of fat when she looked in the mirror but luckily her sports kit still fit her so, after giving herself a little motivational pep talk, it was time to hit the treadmills and work off that "little extra".

She was at the running for nearly an hour; longer than she'd ever run since leaving school sports.  The official trainer at the gym warned her to take it easy but Barbara wasn't having any of it.  On and on she went until every muscle from her waist to her toes was aching and she was going the colour of beetroot.

Eventually she'd had enough and proceeded to stagger upstairs to the showers...why did they have to be on a different level in this place?  She was finding it very difficult to move her very stiff legs but, fortunately, help was on hand from a familiar source.

"Whoa, Babs...take it easy there!" said John Action.

"Action...thank...*phew*...goodness you're here" she gasped in reply.

"Save your breath, I'll help you upstairs"

"They....should....*gasp*....put an elevator...in here..."

"Thanks....." she said and she continued to stagger to the showers.  The hot water was soothing on her sore muscles and after 10 minutes she emerged to get changed and head home.  She didn't feel so bad after a soothing shower but she decided to take the bus home rather than a subway and walk the extra distance, even though that was the quicker way home.

But between the bus stop and the gym, she noticed there was an argument brewing between an old lady and a familiar, public figure:  Magazine boss and party animal Alan Cuffe.

"It's disgusting what you print!" said the old lady.

"What, the recent article on modern American culture by Pulitzer winning author Norman Brainer?" replied Cuffe.

"No!  I mean all those naked women!"

"Jealous?" said an indifferent Cuffe.

Barbara wanted to hear more but the bus arrived and she had to force herself to get on it....fighting her sore body.  She got home and realised she had another work shift in an hour...she could always opt out but there was that issue of money once again:  She really wanted to put a deposit down on that shop.  She would do the second shift of the day and make it up to Jeremy in quality time later.

"Hey sweetheart..." said Jeremy as he got home.

"Hey" Barbara replied, kissing him on the cheek.  "Gotta run...I'll see you tonight" 

"What?" responded a confused Jeremy.  He didn't know she was on two shifts today.  What was going on with her lately?  He headed inside, got a bite to eat and headed off to the study to eat and go through some work reports.  The house felt lonely without Barbara and after finishing his dinner he looked back at the pie chart and noticed something that evaded his attention this morning.  It was an address on Magnolia Promenade.  Could this be the answer to the mystery?  Jeremy made a note of it and headed off to the Promenade to find out.

The address turned out to be an abandoned store.  Walking around it, Jeremy didn't see anything particularly outstanding about the place...it was run down, empty and needed work just to keep it from falling down.  Why was Barbara interested in here?

He headed home and finished off the reports in the study.  Barbara came home and Jeremy decided to talk to her about the old store and the pie chart.

"Hey, honey" he said.

"Jeremy!  I'm glad you're still awake.  I've missed you today....sorry I didn't tell you I'd be doing two shifts today"

"Well, we're here together now.  You don't have to do extra shifts at work; we're financially OK"

"I know....it's just...."

"The shop?" Jeremy asked.  Barbara was taken aback.

"You know about the shop?" she said, her eyes wide in surprise.

"I guessed.  A clue here, a clue there.  Want to tell me about it?"

"I was going to wait until I'd done all the research first....this is just an idea at this stage:  I've signed nothing and not spent any of our money.  Jeremy, I don't want to stay working at a fast food joint, I want to set up my own shop.  A boutique.  Now I've done some research; Suzy helped me and there's definitely a market for trendy clothing designed for young people here in Sim City.  I found that location and it's going cheap...but I know it needs a lot of work done to it..."

"Oh it certainly does" said Jeremy.  "And you've worked this all out without telling me"

Barbara looked embarrassed.  "Well....I was frightened you'd laugh at my idea.  You being the big businessman and all that" she said.

Jeremy smiled.  "I'm hardly 'big' at my company.  I'm a glorified pen pusher.  But no, I'm impressed with what you've done so far.  Do you have a deposit ready to put down on the place?"

"Nearly.  I've got some money my parents gave me....it was for a downpayment on a place of my own but as we live together I figured I could put that towards the shop."

"OK....and, well, like I said we're doing OK financially so......." he left that point hanging in the air.

"You'll help?" said Barbara.

"I'll help too" said Jeremy, taking her hands in his.  The two of them smiled lovingly at each other.