CHAPTER 228: Is There Something Up With George?

It could have been Julia's imagination but it seemed of late that Dr Murakami, Scourge of Willow Creek Hospital, was acting nicer around her.  No barked orders, no contradictory instructions, no stealing of Julia's patients in order to massage her casework statistics and no traps set for Julia to fail.  Maybe, finally, Julia had paid her dues...

She was also allowed to diagnose and treat patients without having Murakami or some other doctor take over the case from her.  Indeed, some of the more junior staff started coming to her for advice.

The first patient of the day was Candace Vargas, age 34.  She had developed a nasty cough, aching limbs and was coming out in a rash as well.

Julia ran all the tests she thought might be relevant:  Bloods, urine, x-rays and even a stamina and lung capacity check on the treadmill.  By the time she was done with her patient, Miss Vargas was thoroughly exhausted.

The result was, however, that Julia's diagnosis was spot on.  Even a second opinion by Murakami confirmed what Julia had thought.  Another successful treatment and another feather in Julia's cap.  All done by herself.

A rejuvenated and healthy Candace Vargas was prepared to be discharged but she had some last words to say to Julia.

"Dr Epstein; I was sceptical at times about all those treatments, scans and exercises you performed on me but I must say I've not felt better in weeks.  I was wrong to doubt your judgement."

"That's alright Miss Vargas; I just like being thorough.  The upshot is you're 100% healthy...although I would recommend you give up smoking."

"I'll bear that in mind, Doctor" said Miss Vargas, smiling.

Julia took a few moments to return to the staff room where she could write up her case notes.  Sitting in her usual spot was senior orderly Mr Ghandi; who was spending every spare moment he had to study for his medical degree.

"Ah, Doctor Epstein, I hear you managed to cure a patient before lunchtime" he said in his strong Indian accent.  

"It's been known before, Mr Ghandi." she replied with her tongue in cheek.  "How are your studies going?"

"Very good, very good.  I'm studying the cardiovascular system.  Fascinating stuff.  Maybe one day when I am qualified I will think about specialising in cardio-thorasics."

"Aiming high...that's what I did."

"Doctor Epstein, paging Doctor Epstein to reception" came the bored sounding drone of the Hospital's PA system.

"I am needed elsewhere..." she said to Ghandi and with that she headed off to reception.

Julia was being paged so she could attend to her next patient:  A man named Jonathan Oglesby and his surname reflected his behaviour...he liked to ogle Julia as she examined him.

"Well hellooooooo" he said in a soft purr of a masculine voice.  "Or should I say, 'enchante'?"

"No, just hello" Julia flatly replied.

"I can see I'm going to be in very capable hands, and so soft and delicate as well..." he said, reaching out to stroke one of her hands.  Julia recoiled and became stern.

"Just cut that out, Mr Oglesby...it doesn't pay to annoy your doctor; after all there are numerous painful and intrusive tests we can perform on you!"

"Don't threaten me with a good time!  Ah-fwa-fwa-fwaaaaah" he said in his lounge lizard voice.

"Why is it that 8 out of 10 male patients over the age of  30 try to hit on me?" Julia complained to her friend and colleague, Harper, afterwards.

"Those older guys struggle to come to terms with competent women in positions of authority" replied Harper.  "They're trying to send a message to you that they're still in charge and not you.  Plus, you're pretty.  At the end of the day men are dominated by their eyes and Johnsons."  

"So do you have the same problem as well?" asked Julia.

"I am a nurse so leering men tend to want to be babied and cosseted by me.  That all changes when I take their temperature with a thermometer....and I will spare you the gory details about that procedure."

After her shift Julia got changed and headed off to downtown Willow Creek to catch up with friends at the Blue Velvet club.

However, just before she went inside she noticed George Sneedly standing further down the road and looking nervously around him.  She wondered what might be bothering him and so went over to say hello.

"George!  George, hello.  I didn't expect to see you here." she said as a way of greeting.

"Oh, hello Julia...ah, yes, I was in this part of town on....erm...business.  That's all.  I'm afraid I got a little lost; I don't know Willow Creek very well." he said, haltingly.

"Where were you trying to find?  Maybe I can help you?" said Julia; wondering what George was looking for.  He did come across as nervous, almost embarrassed. 

"Oh I'm fine now...fine....fine..." he said with increasing emphasis every time he said the word.  "And you're keeping well, are you?" he asked, hesitatingly.

"Yes...work is intense but that's the way I prefer it and I still get time to play the piano.  I've missed our society meetings; are there any plans for one in the near future?"

"I think so.  Edna's handling that side of things right now.  I've been very busy with work...and...other...things..." he said, again his voice trailing off as if something was on his mind.

"George, are you feeling well?  You can tell me, I am a doctor after all"

"Well, I've been a bit under the weather of late but I don't want to bother you with it"

"It's no bother, George..." but as Julia was trying to talk to him his attention was being drawn to other young women walking along the street.  She wasn't even sure if he was even listening to her as she spoke.

"All these young people out in their trendy clothes...I suppose it's the done thing these days." he mused.

"I thought you didn't approve of the latest fashion trends?" said Julia, puzzled by George's behaviour right now.

"Oh normally I don't...I'm just making an observation" he said, his attention focussed on two young women who were wearing cutting edge designer outfits.

The conversation dried up and Julia said she had to get ready to perform at the Blue Velvet club and said her goodbyes to George.  He appeared to be under some kind of stress but she didn't have time to dwell on his issues.

It was really buzzing in the Blue Velvet and Julia made lots in tips from her playing.  It was a double bill that evening as her set took place after local music star, Bakko Jang, opened the evening.  After both sets they got together for drinks along with Julia's good friend and neighbour, Barbara.

                                            

"Great set, Julia" said Barbara.

"Yeah, you were smokin'" said Baako.

"Is that good?" Julia asked, not knowing a lot of slang.

"That's real good.  We should perform more together" added Baako.

"I'd be up for that" said Julia.  The three of them chatted some more but Barbara noticed George Sneedley warming his hands over the fireplace.

"It's that Sneedley man over there.  You know him, Julia?" she said.

"I do.  It's strange he's warming his hands when it's August" Julia replied.  It was even stranger to find George alone in the Blue Velvet bar.  The man cut a solitary and unfashionable figure in this vibrant and sociable venue.

Barbara continued speaking.  "He's been in my shop a couple of times over the last two weeks, shopping for his wife although I've met her as well and she's stick thin so what he's buying for her is too big."

"Maybe he isn't buying for his wife..." said Baako.  "I don't know the man but if he's like a lot of middle aged men who act strangely then it's about cheating on the wife."

"Edna and George are very devoted to one another" Julia said as a rebuttal.  "It can't be that..."

"Well those clothes aren't for himself either!" said Barbara.  "I mean, he's not into modern fashions...he's made that clear...and where Mr Sneedley goes Mrs Sneedley isn't far behind."

 "She ain't here at the moment" said Baako.

"True...but...I mean, there's got to be something up with him.  There's too many things not adding up here" Barbara replied.

Julia thought about it.  Yes, something was off about George but she couldn't figure out what.  Maybe things would become clearer at the next League of Decency meeting?