Julia gulped down the energy drink; an old family recipe that would sustain her through her busy work day at the hospital. She'd been putting in long shifts in the hope of a promotion. She'd also hit the books to keep up to date with the latest treatments and medical breakthroughs, got through her patient workload and even spent time keeping the hospital clean and in order, which was beyond her pay grade. She just wanted that promotion.
Heading off to work, she felt determined to put in a really good day...clear the waiting list, treat the patients and work on her chemical analysis skills. She outlined her plan to get noticed for promotion to her best friend, Francesca.
"So I'm going to waste no time today...I'll treat patients, clear the beds, take lab reports: The lot. And by the end of the day even Murakami's got to notice". Dr Murakami was the senior surgeon and someone who was notoriously hard to impress.
"Well just be careful not to overdo it" said Francesca, sounding a note of caution.
"Me? Overdo things? I don't know the meaning of the word!" said a highly positive Julia, her mood enhanced by the family recipe energy drink she'd had earlier.
Grabbing a set of patient notes Julia walked towards the wards whilst checking them. The note read "Patient: Lulu Strang. Diagnosis: Stomach virus. Treatment: Antibiotics in liquid form." Right, thought Julia, I'm on to this!
She took the medicine over to Miss Strang's bed. She hadn't been Julia's patient but the diagnosis was there and the medicine needed administering.
"Good morning, Miss Strang. I'm Dr Epstein and looking at your notes it looks like you were diagnosed with a stomach virus"
"Eurrrugh....yes" said Lulu Strang, in a weak voice.
"Well, your doctor has prescribed an antibiotic. I'll give you a dose now and here's a prescription for some more. Take it orally 3 times a day for a week. If the symptoms persist, contact us again and we'll check you over and perhaps change your medication but in all likelihood this will work"
Right...Julia thought to herself...job done, one down, move on... Next patient, Adrian Savalani, age 33, complaining of high temperature, earache and intermittent acute stomach pains. Julia entered the room where Mr Savalani was and introduced herself to the man there who seemed like he normally was in good condition and kept himself fit but was clearly not well.
"Please tell me you're going to be my doctor" said Adrian.
"I am...does my reputation precede me?" said Julia.
"No...but I'd much rather be treated by someone who looks keen and eager and not world weary...OWW!" he said, clutching his stomach.
"Here, lie down and let me examine that" said Julia.
"Whoa, steady on! Ask me to dinner first!" said Adrian.
"Oh a comedian are we? Well, I'll have you know I'm of the Grand Order of Pranksters" said Julia.
"Ugh, the enemy" said Adrian.
"A minute ago you were happy that I was your doctor"
"Yes, but you might trick me with a hand buzzer or fake poop in the bed."
"I'm strictly professional" said Julia.
"That's what my ex wife used to say...before she went out on a contract kill...that's a joke, by the way OW!" he said, clutching his side.
Julia examined him by feeling around his abdomen and then checked his ears with an Otoscope before finally taking a swab from his mouth. She had an inkling as to what might be troubling him.
"So which part was the joke?" asked Julia. "The part about you having an ex wife or that she was a contract killer?"
"Both" said Adrian, lying back on the bed in some discomfort.
"I'll just get your swab sampled and I'll be back later"
Julia took the sample down to the lab and had it examined as she wrote up her notes and looked in a few medical textbooks to follow up on her hunch. When the report came back it confirmed her suspicion: Gallstones.
Returning to Adrian's room she held the file out and announced to him "Well, I think I know what's troubling you...it's...."
"Gallstones, Mr Savalani." said the voice of Dr Murakami as she entered the room. "Fortunately for you we have an effective treatment for them that won't require surgery. Thank you, Dr Epstein, I'll take things from here"
"But..." said Julia, her voice quiet but sad as her moment was being stolen by a senior doctor.
"No buts, Dr Epstein. Now if you can go and make sure the nurses have prepared the vacant rooms properly for incoming patients that would be great. Run along now."
Julia felt Murakami had stolen the case and the patient away from her and made her look small in front of him. Disappointed, she went and did as she was told. Francesca tried to console her but Julia knew there'd be no promotion today. No chance to shine and, as such, she saw out her shift.
She went home and had dinner but was now feeling too low to read any number of medical journals she had earmarked to check out. Her phone rang and it was George Sneedley, but he wasn't ringing on official League of Decency business.
"I hear you treated a friend of mine in hospital...Adrian Savalani. He said you were very good" said George.
"Thanks...I hope he feels better soon" she replied. "Oh is there another meeting planned yet?"
"There are forces and wheels in motion as we speak...Dr Epstein...we will be in touch."
Julia hung up the phone and sighed. Maybe some music could lift her out of her funk? She headed on down to the Blue Velvet club not to listen to or dance to the blues music there but because they had a piano and a part of the evening devoted to an open mic slot.
She was surprised to see a few people she already knew: Magazine editor Abigail Whitaker and her neighbour Jeremy Saint. He was there as Barbara was working at Hamburgerman and he, like Julia, was at a loose end. But Jeremy was more interested in dancing than talking.
"You know, Julia" said Jeremy "I never used to be into this kind of music...I was more a Lawrence Welk or Mitch Miller kind of man myself but Barbara and Action have encouraged me to give the Blues a go and I'm really enjoying it! You should get up and give it a go!"
"That's great, Jeremy" said Julia. "I dabble a bit on piano but I'm not much of a dancer"
"Go on, Julia, have a little fun...it sounds like you could use it" said Abigail.
"Oh...OK then...don't say I didn't warn you if I tread on your toes" Julia stood up and shuffled along to her one and only dance move: The Indifferent Bop.
"Excuse me for interrupting" said a woman with a long, blonde ponytail. "You play the piano, don't you? I think I've seen you in here playing before"
Julia recognised who this woman was: She was one of the Lothario Kittens. She was often in here hanging on Alan Cuffe's right arm...usually there was another of the Kittens on his left one as well.
"I do play" said Julia, cooly.
"Oh I'm hoping you can help me out of a bind. You see I sing here once a week and my regular accompanist can't make it all of a sudden and I'm booked to sing at 9pm. I was wondering if you could help me by accompanying me this evening. I know it's short notice but my set is quite short...only 5 songs."
Julia took a deep breath. As a member of The League of Decency she should be against this woman but she wasn't in her Kitten outfit and this singing gig had nothing to do with Lothario Magazine & Clubs. It would be churlish to flat out refuse the request.
"What are you going to sing?" asked Julia. The woman, whose name was Joelene, told her. "Right, I can do 4 of them but I don't know the 5th. Can you sing 'House Of The Rising Sun' because I know that one?"
"Sure!" said Joelene, her face beaming with joy. "Let's do this!"
The set went down well, with both women getting a big round of applause and a hatful of tips, which Joelene shared with Julia. Afterwards, they went to get a drink together at the bar.
"You've got a terrific voice" said Julia.
"Thanks...you're very good on the ivories yourself" Joelene replied.
"So you're part of the Kitten Club?" asked Julia.
"Yeah" said Joelene, smiling. "Hey, weren't you in here last week giving Alan a piece of your mind?"
"I was. I must be frank here: I disapprove of the whole Lothario business. You've clearly got talent, why waste it posing semi-naked in magazines or being a hostess in his clubs?"
"Well, I'm not forced to do any of those things...I was very shy and withdrawn before I joined the Kitten Club. Alan, his business partner and the other girls have given me a lot of confidence and through the club I've gotten to meet all kinds of influential people; some of them in the music and entertainment business. I won't be a Kitten for long, but it's given me a start to what I want to do; sing and entertain people."
"Well, I just don't understand why Lothario has to be a part of that but....I enjoyed being part of the gig tonight and...well, I hope the other Kittens are as nice as you are"
"They're a pretty good bunch of girls...we stick together. But I know what the Lothario brand stands for isn't for everyone...I respect your viewpoint"
"Well, let's drink to a successful night!" said Julia, raising a glass. It wasn't successful at the hospital, where she felt her progress was obstructed by a low built glass ceiling, but for one night all that was forgotten.
