CHAPTER 196: Jude The Obscured

It was the days off that left Julia feeling at a loose end.  She loved her work at the medical centre; it was all part of her calling to be a doctor...a dream she had had since she was four years old.  If she had her way she'd work 6 days a week and would only accept one day off for religious reasons.  But the hospital trust decided, in their infinite wisdom, to grant her two.

After breakfast Julia decided to take a walk around the neighbourhood.  Her alarm clock was set to 5am and after spending months being conditioned to wake up then, when her clock was off she still awoke at that time and couldn't get back to sleep.  Consequently it was only 6:30am in the morning and almost no one was around to talk to....except for one person and, as it so happened, Julia knew him personally.  It was the local mailman, Scott Urban.

"Good morning, Scott" said Julia as they approached each other.  "How are you?  Are you on your rounds?"

"Just about to head on to the depot to start my shift, Miss Julia" he replied.

"Oh now, Scott...no need for formalities with me:  It's just Julia.  You don't need to add 'Miss' or 'Doctor' unless it's to do with something medical."

"OK Miss...erm, I mean Julia.  It's just that you're this smart doctor and I'm the mailman and..." he said, looking around, sheepishly.

"Nonsense, Scott.  We're both in the League of Decency where there's no ranks between us.  I hope I don't intimidate you because I have a medical degree, was the youngest in medical school and completed High School with high honours by the time I was 16."  she said, with a genuine innocence as to how she came across by saying that.  That made Scott even more nervous, even though she intended the opposite.

"What I'm saying is that despite our differences we share the same morality and dedication to our work and duty.  I don't want you to see me as a highly educated doctor any more than you should see me as a woman..."

"Erm...I'm not to see you as a woman?" said Scott, bewildered by that statement because in his view he was standing in front of a very pretty woman.

"No...I am a person, just like you." she continued.

"If you say so, Miss...erm...I mean, Julia"

"Obviously I am a woman and you are a man but I see beyond that shallow classification.  Take George and Edna:  Clearly George is a man, there's no disputing that, and Edna's a woman but I see Edna as a leader...a trait commonly identified in men...and George is more the supporting, thoughtful one...which is more associated with femininity.  But George doesn't go around wearing skirts now does he?  That would be ridiculous!  SNORT!" she said, with her customary short, snorting laugh.

"I can kinda see where you're going with this...Julia." replied Scott.  "Say, have you heard from either of them?  Things have been a bit quiet on the League front lately."

"Hmmm, you're right.  I suppose they're busy.  The last time I spoke with Edna she said she was planning something big.  She said she even has a spy in high places who can pass on valuable information to us!"

"I wonder who that is?" replied Scott.

"I'd be patient, Scott...let us await the hour and then we're sure to swing into action!"

Scott nodded and then remarked that he had to be along his way, to begin his shift.  As he left Julia thought about how dedicated he was, both as a mailman and an upstanding human being...salt of the earth, as they say.  A man who has served his community and country.  Of course Julia ruled out any romantic notions with him; apart from the intellectual gulf between them she was dedicated to her own work and duties and had little or no time for romance...if she was to date a man, then it would not be some saccharine romance, no, it would have to be the meeting of two minds and purposes.  A relationship based on intellectual and professional respect and achievement.

She walked back home, sat down on the couch and turned on the TV so she could watch The International Culture Hour.

"It was in the Rococo era that art, culture and politics collided to push Europe into the Enlightenment"

"Ah, that's more like it" said Julia to herself.

Over the course of the next hour and a half she had learned a lot about Rococo, Isaac Newton's three laws of motion, the Venetian Empire and the life cycle of dung beetles.  She was snapped out of being engrossed in her televisual education by the telephone ringing.

She switched the TV off and got up to answer the phone.  Picking the receiver up she said "The residence of Dr Julia Epstein, M.D.?"

"Hey, I got the right number!  Hi, it's Jude...Jude McKenna.  We met just over a week ago..."

Julia straightened up and her heart beat quicker.  She recognised the name and the voice:  Jude McKenna was a patient she had treated at a penthouse suite in San Myshuno.  She had also been won over by his handsome looks and charming demeanour, as well as finding out he was a stockbroker as well.

"Hello...Jude.  I hope you are well."

"I am actually, thanks in large part to you.  I would have called you earlier but I wanted to leave it for a few days so there would be no chance of me breaching your code of conduct in socialising with patients."

"So this is a social call?"  Julia was now standing on the balls of her feet and bobbing up and down with excitement.

"It is.  Is that OK with you?"

"Oh yes...that's fine.  So......"

"I was wondering if you're free at some point today to meet up for a coffee together?"  Jude's voice sounded smooth and confident; his invitation too enticing to refuse.

"I would like that very much.  As a matter of fact I have the day off so anytime today is good with me."  Julia picked up the phone and started to pace up and down in the living room.

"Do you know the South Square Coffee shop in Windenburg?"

"Yes, I know it."

"Say we meet there at 10?  How does that sound"

"Yes" Julia said, with a croak in her voice as she was eagerly anticipating this get together.

"I'll see you at 10 then"

"Bye bye"  and with that, Julia put the receiver back down and then did a little jump in excitement.  When she had calmed down, she thought about what she should wear.  Jude had only ever seen her in medical scrubs so she wanted to give a good impression.  Her new black and white outfit was rejected for being too trendy, her red outfit rejected for not looking smart enough and her blue dress was rejected as a) it bared some of her shoulders and that would give off the wrong vibe and b) it was still at the dry cleaners.  In the end she thought her black turtleneck sweater and red plaid skirt would be good enough.  After all, this was just meeting for coffee, not a dinner date at Chez Llama.

She wasted no time in getting to the Olde Platz in Windenburg and she found him standing outside of the coffee shop, looking even better than she remembered when she first met him.  On that occasion he had a bout of food poisoning and didn't look his best...

"You look even better out of your scrubs, if I may say so.  That outfit suits you very much" he said with a broad smile on his face.

"Thank you.  You look very smart as well" Julia replied, noticing how his blazer accentuated his broad shoulders.

"Shall we step inside?" he said, gesturing with an outstretched hand towards the café.  Julia nodded and he ushered her inside, taking care to open the door for her.

They found an empty table and Jude asked Julia what she would like, to which she replied a Cappuccino.  "A woman of fine tastes" he remarked.  "I'll go and get them" he said, making his way to the counter.  As she watched him saunter to the counter and ordering the drinks she noted the confident stride to his step.  This man was at ease in the world, she thought.  Looking around the shop she was less impressed by the unwashed tables, a puddle on the floor and windows that were streaked in dirt.  She was wondering what public health violations lay in this place...

He returned with the coffees and she put thoughts of the shop's hygiene behind her.  Sipping the drink she may have had reservations about the cleanliness here, but they sure made a good cup of coffee.

"I trust you're all better?" asked Julia.

"Oh yes, fit as a fiddle.  I won't be requiring your healing abilities, Julia." he quipped.

"So are you back at work...you're a stockbroker if I remember?" she asked.

"Yep.  And I was back in the office first thing last Monday.  I can't afford to take sick days in my line of work"

"Nor mine.  If I go down with an illness I self-diagnose and treat myself...and knowing what I know about medicine I can worry about what I've got as well!  SNORT!"

"Ah, yes...ha-ha" Jude's laugh was thin, more out of politeness than being amused.  "I'm lucky to have caught you on a day off; I guess working as a doctor keeps you very busy." he remarked.

"Very much so.  How about your work, is that busy right now or is it always busy?"

"Usually very busy but I can afford to relax today because this week I pulled off a deal that netted my company $100,000" he said, saying that number in a voice loud enough so that the other patrons in the coffee shop could hear him.

"I see.  Very impressive." said Julia, noticing that Jude was puffing himself up there a bit.  Clearly a man proud of his work and achievements but also displaying a need to show off.  Julia finished her coffee but wanted another one so she asked Jude if she could buy him one.

"A lady buying a gentleman a drink?  I don't think so" he said.

"I insist.  I want to do things equally." Julia replied.

"Are you by any chance a suffragette?" he quipped.

"That was to secure women the vote, I just want to buy us coffees."

"Well, it is unusual but this is a bit of women's emancipation I can get on board with" he replied.  "Same again for me"

Julia stood up and went to the counter to order two more cappuccinos but when she stood next to it she could see things were worse than they first appeared.  The whole surface was filthy with pastry crumbs, spilled drinks and some dark sticky substance that didn't bear thinking about.  When the barista asked for her order, Julia was sure to mention the state of the place as well as buying the drinks.

"Here you go" she said, placing the cup down on the table.  "I think we've got the only clean table in this place.  Have you seen the state of that counter?  And those tables and chairs over there!"

"What's wrong with them?" Jude replied.

"They're filthy, haven't you noticed?"

"Pah, just a little dirt" he replied with a shrug.  "If I worried about every spot of dirt I wouldn't get everything done"

"It's not just a spot...it's everywhere!" Julia said with a shudder of disgust.  

"You sound like my ex-wife!" said Jude.

"Ex-wife?"

"Oh yeah, I've been married before but she was so stuck up and a stickler for every petty thing she perceived as wrong."

Julia had heard enough and she knew that there would be no future with her and Jude.  Underneath that smooth exterior was a vain slob who had problems with his relationships.  Her heart sank as she realised that this was a false hope she had in him.

"Jude...I don't think this is going anywhere" she eventually said.

"What?  Dang, that's a shame" he said with a resigned shrug.  He swirled the dregs of his coffee cup and after a few seconds of silence he said.  "I have to agree though.  There seemed to be something when we first met but...I've been here before with a woman who has strict standards and that's not my style.  I'll pay the bill and go.  Be lucky, Julia."

Julia nodded and didn't bother to watch him leave.  Romance...she and it were not on good terms.  Every time...every single time she opened herself up and contemplated a relationship something would happen to crush it.  Jude wasn't the right kind of guy, once she figured out where she stood with Rez Valdez he had moved on with another woman.  When she tried to get closer to Kerry Fry he would pull away and then there was Vincent...who put his morals and principles first by rejecting a safe life with Julia in Sim City and taking a post with the UN humanitarian mission in the Congo.

She walked slowly to the bathroom as she felt like being sick.  Standing in front of the sink and looking in the mirror she was disappointed by what she saw.  She knew she was merely OK looking.  Summer, Suzy, Barbara, Liberty and Joanna were all the things men desired and when she thought about her other female friends such as Harper and Francesca she had noticed that they turned men's heads and for the first time in her life she felt inadequate compared to them all.  Suzy had Neil, Barbara had Jeremy, Summer had Travis, Liberty had Gary and Francesca had Rod.  All fine and wonderful men, decent men whilst Julia was only able to attract rakes, the non-committal, the users and cruisers.  And then the gnawing feeling in her stomach that she wasn't good enough to entice Vincent to stay in Sim City.  Just not good enough; that was how she felt.

"Pull yourself together" Julia told herself.  "You're a great doctor, a healer and good...decent.  I have strayed from my path, my calling in pursuing 'love'.  I've got to get a grip.  Yes, it's a good thing I found out about Jude's nature now rather than later..."

She supressed the urge to be sick and stepped back out into the Olde Platz with no idea of what she'd be doing next.  She contemplated going home but up ahead she saw her next door neighbour, Joanna, who had clocked that Julia was also in the area and waved to her.

"Julia, nice surprise to see you here.  What gives?" asked Joanna.

"Ugh, nothing to write home about.  I was thinking about heading home" Julia replied.

"Don't do that!  Look, I'm here to meet up with some friends from college...why not hang out with us at the Narwharl Arms for a bit?"

Julia pondered the invitation and looked around the plaza.  An evening at home alone seemed too depressing and she was starting to warm to her new neighbour.  On the surface, two totally different women but somehow they were forging a friendship and an invitation to hang out with her and her friends seemed like a better proposition. 

"Sure, count me in" said Julia at last.

It'd been a while since she'd last stepped in The Narwhal Arms but the place hadn't changed.  The bar was the first thing anyone noticed on arrival but that wasn't what grabbed the attention:  It was the dance floor and DJ that lay just around the corner that took up most of the indoor area and which was thronged with partygoers and dancers.

Joanna saw some of her friends already bopping away on the floor and she waved enthusiastically at them.  A few words were exchanged before Joanna signalled to Julia to join them.

 "Julia...thid ng muh fren Smnoe n thid Anhuhuhuh..." said Joanna to Julia but the music was so loud in here she couldn't make out what she was saying.  Julia nodded and mouthed a "hello" but any attempt at a conversation was stifled by the noise so all that was left to do was dance.

The physical activity distracted Julia from her woes with Jude earlier and she was finally having a good time today.  Another person arrived in the bar and made his way over to the dance floor and he was immediately spotted by Joanna and her friends.

"BLAIR!" they all shouted, simultaneously.  Even Julia could hear that clearly.

Blair turned out to be a young man in his early 20s who was tall and slim with auburn hair and who had a confident swagger about him.  Julia turned around to get a better look at this new arrival and noticed he was looking right back at her with a slight smile that indicated some kind of approval.

The song stopped and introductions were made.  Blair announced he would get a round of drinks in for everyone as a way of making up for being the last to arrive.  He finally turned to Julia and asked "and for you?"

"Erm...a white wine, please" said Julia

"White wine, you got it!" he replied with a click of his fingers.

Julia continued dancing to the next song and by the time it had finished Blair had returned with a tray of drinks, which he placed on a nearby table.  The group all took their respective beverages but Blair sat down at the table.  The last drink left was Julia's wine and Blair waved to her and pointed to it.  She stopped dancing and walked over to him.

"Thank you.  You didn't have to include me in the round" said Julia, taking the wine.

"You're a friend of Joanna's I gather" Blair replied.

"Her next door neighbour" said Julia.

"Oh, groovy.  Say, would you like to sit down here whilst you have your drink?" Blair said, motioning towards the empty seat in front of him.  Julia nodded and sat down.

Julia took a sip of wine and nodded.  "Hmm, this is good." she said.

"It's a Zinfandel" Blair replied.  "So are you at Britechester U. as well?"

Julia shook her head.  "No, I'm actually a doctor:  I work at Willow Creek Medical Centre."

"A doctor?  But you look so...."

"Young?  Yes.  I graduated from med school only 8 months ago.  I went through university younger than most other students.  So are you an undergrad at Britechester?"

"Post-grad.  I'm studying for my PhD.  The name's Blair Herrick" he said, offering his hand to shake.

"Julia Epstein" she said, shaking his hand.  

"Joanna's something else, isn't she?  I've not met a girl so bold and gung-ho as her?  Most freshmen take their time to settle in but she's launched herself in to campus life with gusto."

"She's a bit older than your average freshman" said Julia.  "The same age as us, really."

"I still can't get over how you're a doctor already!" Blair chuckled.  "But it's nice to meet you.  Tell me about yourself..."

Julia, once going with a drink to loosen her tongue, didn't hesitate to fill Blair in on her work, her life, the interesting medical cases she's worked on, her piano playing and the little community of Foundry Cove, Willow Creek.  The one thing she didn't get around mentioning to Blair was her activities with the League of Decency.

When it was eventually Blair's turn to speak he told her about his PhD work, in particle physics, how he got his broken nose playing college football, his hometown of Chicago and his family.  But most of all he didn't want to talk about himself as much as he wanted to talk about Julia and her life.

"Are you going to be here for a while?" asked Blair.

"Yes, I am having a good time here" Julia replied.

"I'm just going to say hi to a few colleagues but when I come back I'll get you another drink, is that OK?" 

"Thank you, that would be nice".  Julia watched Blair get up and go over to a bunch of other people in the bar and thought about this guy.  So soon after the disappointment of Jude comes a seemingly nice and intelligent man but Julia was also wary given her recent experiences.  More people were arriving at the Narwhal, some of them familiar faces:  Travis, Jeremy and Action.  At least if Blair turned out to be a weirdo or a jerk she'd have good friends here.

Travis saw her and waved so Julia got up and went over to where he was on the dance floor.

"Jules...fancy seeing you here!" he said, his voice raised to be heard over the music.

"I could say the same thing about you men..." she replied, looking over to where Action and Jeremy were.  "...guy's night out?"

"The womenfolk are painting each other's toenails and I can't stand the smell of acetone" said Travis.  "Anyway, you dark horse...who's that guy you're talking with?"

"A friend of Joanna's.  He's a PhD student called Blair"

"Any sparks there?" said Travis, digging his elbow into her ribs and winking.

"Please, Travis!  Don't make this into some tacky romance!  He's an interesting man and I've just been having a nice conversation with him." said Julia, turning her nose up at Travis' suggestion.

"Never count out the power of sparks when two people meet!" Travis said with a goofy smile and shrug of his shoulders.

"What you call 'sparks' is just romantic gush suitable for the kind of novels you find in airport shops.  I see Blair waving to me...I am now going to have a civilised conversation with him followed by a platonic dance."

As Julia wandered over to the bar Travis smiled at how she could act snooty and above it all whenever talk of romance was involved.  Julia met Blair over by the bar and he ordered another drink for her.

"So, I see you've got friends here as well" he remarked, looking over at Travis and the others.

"They're my neighbours" Julia responded.  "I ran into them here by chance"

"It looks like all your neighbours are here tonight!" he quipped.

"Most of them.  They're doing something apart from their girlfriends"

"A real guy's night out, eh?  But you and Joanna haven't left any guys behind this evening?"

"I cannot speak for Joanna but I am resolutely single!" said Julia, proudly.

Blair nodded and said "Oh, I get the picture." he said, cryptically.

"I am here to enjoy the night life and meet interesting people" said Julia, oblivious to how she had inadvertently given Blair the impression that she was a lesbian.

"Well, here's to interesting people" said Blair, raising a glass.  Julia clinked her wineglass to his.

They finished their drinks and Blair said he had to catch up with some more people he knew.  Julia smiled in satisfaction that she was having a good time with friends, old and new.  Jeremy soon joined her at the bar.

"Hey, Julia.  Who's that guy?" he said, taking a seat at the bar.

"A new friend, and that is all" said Julia, heading him off at the pass before he could add something about 'sparks'.

"Hey, others might tease you about potential boyfriends but I won't.  I've been through all the lows and highs on that score." he said.

"Actually, Jeremy, now that you're here may I ask you a bold question?" she said...the man sitting in between them took the hint and left to go dancing.  Jeremy looked concerned as to what Julia might ask him.

"Sure" he said.

"I'm not experienced in matters pertaining to...dating and such.  I mean, I don't think about it much as I'm far more interested in ideas, my work in medicine, music and the arts and I find all this desire people have to get together to be a distraction and yet....how do I put this?  You see...no, that's not it...What I mean to ask is...how do you deal with those feelings that arise when you're with someone who is considered to be attractive and who is convivial company?"

"Now you're asking..." said Jeremy with a sigh.  "How do I deal with feeling attracted to someone?  A combination of fear, expectation, excitement, hope, worry and a dash of nausea for the most part.  When I first moved to Sim City there was this girl and I thought she was just swell...she was beautiful, charming and seemed to like me...then she didn't and I felt crushed...then I went out one evening at Travis' urging and I met Barbara...but only after two other women in the bar that night turned their noses up at me.  I thought I'd blown it with Barbara as well but she was still there, still wanting to talk to me and, well, here we are all this time later.  The only advice I can give you is that you're going to feel a whole gamut of emotions when you like someone and when they reject you, or break up with you but the trick is...never give up."

Julia nodded.  "I think I understand" she said.  "Actually, I don't understand much of it but I think you're saying that I have to accept all those unwanted emotions as part of the deal."

"Accept them and learn to live with them, Julia.  "Take that guy you've been talking to...he might be the one, he might not be.  Just don't go too fast; I think I did that with that other woman...put too much faith in a potential relationship too soon."

"That is interesting, Jeremy.  I will ponder your insights" said Julia, looking off into the middle distance and nodding appreciatively.  

"Whilst you're doing that, how about you join us guys for a dance?" said Jeremy, jerking his head towards the dance floor.

"Excellent idea!" Julia replied.

"Bustin' some cool moves there, Jules" said Action once they were on the dance floor together.

"And you too" she replied.

"Action knows only one way to boogie" he said, without missing a beat.

The night wore on but Blair didn't return to see Julia.  One by one all the friends made their way home, leaving Julia the last one dancing.

Eventually Julia realised she was the last of her little group left in the Narwhal.  "Well..." she thought to herself.  "A bad start to the day but it has had its charms.  I will think further on what Jeremy said to me but in the meantime I will not let one bad date dominate my thinking."

She left the bar in higher spirits than when she entered it but along the way one of Joanna's college friends called out to her.  "Nice meeting you, Julia...and although Blair can be a bit hot-headed and impulsive he's a really good guy."

"Erm...thank you for that.  I will bear that in mind..." said Julia.

CHAPTER 182: House Call

 

It was Julia's first day at work since her promotion.  No longer the bottom ranked most junior of interns, she now had risen up the ranks.  The last 6 months of hard work had finally paid off for her.  However, with more seniority came more responsibilities and with that, an increased workload.  With her increase in wages she was able to purchase some custom made protective glasses that she could wear instead of contact lenses...which always ran the risk of getting lost; sometimes inside a patient undergoing surgery.

Dr Murakami, the head surgeon, was at the front desk and she looked stressed.  

"Ah, Dr Epstein...it's all hands to the pumps today as the saying goes:  Most of the nursing staff are down, sick.  Food poisoning after Nurse Newell's birthday party last night.  I'm afraid we're going to be backed up with cases today; every bed is occupied right now and we need to clear as many of the low level cases as possible.  Here; here's your first patient." she said, handing Julia a case file.

Julia took a look at the contents:  "Roy Reece, age 65, complaining of abdominal pains.  Roy Reece?  That name seems familiar" she muttered to herself.

She walked off towards Bed One, reading the notes all the way.  Fortunately for her, she knew the hospital layout intimately and didn't accidentally collide with anything as she was walking and reading.  Inside the room was an elderly man with a long, full beard and prominent chin who was looking miserable.

"Mr Reece...I'm Doctor Epstein and I'll be handling your case today.  How are we feeling right now?"

"In pain...annoyed...breathing hurts right now...and I just want to get out of here" was his surly reply.

"I understand and hopefully we will get to the bottom of what's troubling you so we can cure you and send you home.  Now I have a feeling we've met before..."

"Hmm, yes, there's something familiar about you too.  Maybe you've seen me at one of my gigs." he said.

"Are you a musician?" asked Julia.

"Yes.  Jazz.  I'm the leader of Roy Reece And His Ragtime Rascals"

"Oh yes, now I remember.  We met briefly in the music room at the Casbah Gallery." said Julia, recalling that not only had she met Mr Reece, he had been quite rude to her and had her chucked out of the gallery's music room.  But she thought it prudent not to mention the incident to him.

"Yes, we practice there every Saturday morning without fail" he said, curtly.  Maybe he had remembered their previous encounter.

Julia began to perform some basic examination of Mr Reece by taking his temperature, checking his blood pressure, heartbeat and gently examining his abdomen to see if there were any abnormalities or pain there.  All the while they were having a conversation about Jazz.

"Do you like jazz, Dr Epstein?" he asked.

"Most certainly!" came her enthusiastic reply.  "In fact I play piano myself and I'm always switching between playing classical or jazz."

"So you play as well?  Good, so who are your favourite pianists?" 

"Jazz wise?  I'd say Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock"

"Harumph!" said Reece, grumpily.  "Not Trad Jazz then!"

"I don't know much about Trad, Mr Reece"

"Trad is the ONLY form of Jazz that should be permitted!  Brubeck can't hold a candle to Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller!"

"Well, that's a matter of opinion...now, let's get a swab from your mouth and get it analysed.  Hold still, Mr Reece..."

"AUUGHAAAHHAAAHHHH"

"Thank you Mr Reece; I will send this for analysis and will check on you again in about 3 hours from now..."

"Three hours!"

"See you then, bye"

Julia took the swab to the lab and on her way back to the wards she was intercepted by Dr Murakami.

"Dr Epstein, I have an unusual request to ask of you" she said.  Julia was intrigued and raised a quizzical eyebrow at her boss.

"There's been an outbreak of stomach problems at some kind of society do downtown...suspected food poisoning.  Now normally they'd all come by ambulance and with all our beds occupied it would make more sense to triage at the location instead of here." said Dr Murakami.  "I want you to go"

"But don't we have staff shortages?" said Julia.

"I've got that covered; we have a couple of locum doctors on call and they'll help out.  I need a more senior member of the team down there, assessing what's going on and if you can treat them there without having to admit them here that would be greatly appreciated...if you catch my meaning."

Julia thought she did; pull this off and promotion again couldn't be far away.  She grabbed a traditional black doctor's bag and medical kit, grabbed the notes for the case and hitched a ride in an ambulance downtown to the Arts Quarter, where the call came from.

She was buzzed in to the apartment and immediately the stench of vomit hit her nostrils.  In the kitchen, a woman was hunched over a sink, retching.  She saw Julia enter in her scrubs and guessed she was the doctor sent to help them.  Picking herself up, the woman wiped her mouth and turned to greet Julia.

"Oh thank goodness you've come, Doctor" said the woman.  "Three of us are down with this stomach bug or whatever it is."

"Well let's see if I can help you.  My name's Dr Epstein and you are?"

"Fleig, Patricia Fleig."  There was a moment of recognition between the two women that, based on their surnames, both were Jewish.  "I'm afraid we all overdid it with a seafood platter..."

"Was there much in the way of shellfish on it?" Julia asked.

"Yes, I'm not very observant when it comes to Kosher..." said Fleig, embarrassed.

"I'm here to cure you, not to report you to the Rabbi" said Julia, smiling.

Julia checked out her symptoms and performed an examination before concluding that it was probably food poisoning Patricia was suffering from.

She examined another patient who had crawled out into the hallway to throw up into a large pot plant.  Julia had seen this kind of food poisoning before; eating shellfish, if improperly cooked or left out to get warm, could lead to it.

"May I ask what was this function you had here was about?" asked Julia, as a way of keeping the patient focussed instead of passing out.

"Oh...I'm embarrassed to say..." said the woman, whose name was Lauren Storey.  "...it's like this.  We're a...erm...lunchtime singles club"

"A what?" asked Julia, innocently.

"It's a club that meets once a week on Thursday lunchtime.  We're all professional people who are...well...you know...single..." said the woman, almost embarrassed to tell Julia all this.  "and we meet up to strike up, erm, friendships."

Julia nodded.  "With a view to courtship?" she asked.

"Courtship.  Yes...it's all very clean and above board.  You see, all of us are over 30 and finding a good man...or woman...is difficult these days with all the work and life pressures there are.  Not like the old days where you'd date a boy at High School in your local town and then marry them later!" said Lauren, now relieved to have admitted what this club was about.

"My grandparents marriage was arranged by a matchmaker so I can relate in a way" said Julia.

"I suppose it's easier for the younger generation like yourself with all the discotheques and 'happenings' as they call them." said Lauren.  "But those of us who didn't have that kind of scene and who hate bars have missed the bus" she said with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

"I don't go in for all that either." said Julia.  "I'm not into the sort of things my contemporaries enjoy.  So, I gather there's one more patient for me to see.  Who is it?"

"Jude...he insists he's fine but he's just as bad as the rest of us" said Lauren, gingerly getting to her feet and leading Julia back into the apartment.

"I'll be the judge of that!" said Julia, determinedly.  She often got annoyed at male patients trying to put on an air of false bravado by talking down their illnesses.

Lauren walked ahead of Julia and led her back into the apartment and to a bedroom.  "Jude, the doctor is here to see you" she called out.

A man's voice responded "I don't need to see a doctor, I'm fine!" he said, opening the door and stepping out from the room.  However, when he saw Julia his attitude changed.  "Well, maybe I should have a check up" he added.

Julia was struck by this Jude's appearance.  Tall, slim but well built with immaculate hair, a strong jaw and cheekbones and the smart casual orange blazer and turtleneck worn with crisp pants and pale Cuban heeled boots...even she was taken aback at how handsome this man was.

"Ah, hello" said a now nervous Julia.  "I'm Doctor Julia Epstein" she said, getting her first name in there as well.  "Have you been suffering the same symptoms as these ladies as well or are there any others you can tell me?"

"I have had some stomach problems but I think I'm over the worst..." he said, smoothly in a voice that seemed to match his looks.  Julia took careful note of all this, and what he was saying.

"Ooooooh, there it goes again!" he said, clutching his stomach suddenly.

"I don't think you're as well as you would like to imagine" said Julia.  "Now, let me feel around the area where there's pain."

"It's right there" he said, pointing to his lower left abdomen.

Julia put her hands on that part of his body and felt around the warm skin, asking him to let her know if he felt any acute pain when she pressed against him.

"Not quite" he said.  "A bit lower"

"Like here?"

"No, lower still" he said.  Julia's hands now were below his waistline and just above his pelvis.  Any lower and...

"There...not quite THAT low, mind you" he said, grimacing.

"I see...yes, food poisoning." she said, standing up and instructing Jude that he could put his sweater and blazer back on.  Fortunately I have some medicine that I've prescribed to your friends here..."

He handed him the bottle and he took it.  Again, his hands were warm and the skin smooth.  Maybe Julia held on to that bottle a fraction too long in order to extend that moment.  Nevertheless, Jude took it from her gently.

"I'll make sure I take the full course, thank you, Doctor Epstein" he said.

"Right, well I'll just fill out some paperwork and I'm done here.  I hope you all get well soon..." she said, sitting down on a bed and taking out her official documentation and a pen.  To her not-unwelcome surprise, Jude sat next to her.

"Thank you once again for coming out." he said.  "Just one thing though; how long before my symptoms start to go away...it's just that I've got a lot on with work right now?"

"Oh 1 to 2 days.  Hopefully you'll see an improvement in your health tomorrow and the next day.  What is it you do, Mr...?"

"Oh, McKenna but please call me Jude.  I'm a stockbroker" he said.

Julia smiled to herself.  A professional man of means...mother would approve. She thought.

"I would take the rest of the day off, Mr McKenna, I mean...Jude...and to be on the safe side, tomorrow as well."

"Who am I to argue with my doctor?" he said with a smile.

Julia smiled back but didn't know what to say next.  She just wasn't smooth enough in these situations and was inexperienced in flirtatious banter.

"I hope we run into each other again, Doctor" he said.  Then he looked at the floor, took a deep breath and looked up at Julia.  "May I be presumptuous and give you my business card?" he said, reaching inside his blazer.

"Oh...well...I mean, you are my patient so...." she grimaced.

"I'm so sorry, ethics and all that." he replied, sheepishly.

"No.  Don't apologise.  However, you are now officially discharged from my care so....let me see...what are the rules again?  I can take your card...in case I have any stocks and shares advice I might need." she said, struggling for the right words to say.

"Of course.  As one professional to another" Jude replied.  "And as a medical professional...if I have any reoccurrence of my stomach problems or my symptoms don't improve where can I contact you?"

"Oh yes...here's my card with my hospital phone number and also..." she said, carefully pointing out a second number on her card.  "My messaging service if you can't reach me at the hospital."

Jude smiled.  "Thank you.  So we both know we can reach each other if either of us need some...professional...advice" he said looking into her eyes.  Julia gulped and nodded.

She made her goodbyes and headed back to the hospital for a late lunch.  Sitting in the cafeteria she thought about meeting Jude McKenna and how she was drawn to him.  Normally she was so career focussed and hated all that kind of lovey dovey romance nonsense, going so far as to join an organisation that was against smut and permissiveness but with Jude it was different as it was different with Vincent before he had to go away.  These were strong, professional men, adults not rampaging hormonal overgrown boys like Rez Valdez or others like him who were only interested in her body and sex.  No, a gentleman who was solvent and mature was fine in Julia's book.  Plus she was now doing well in her career; she was trusted and respected and now she could look ahead and see the possibility of including a man in her life, as long as it was the right kind of man and not just anyone for the sake of it.  On top of that, Jude seemed to like her as well and he was clearly looking for a woman of more substance hence his membership of a singles club where he would meet a more refined kind of woman, by the looks of things.  Julia was a more mature head on a young body, she thought.

But it was back to the day job and following up on those tests of Mr Reece's she had done earlier.  She headed back to the lab to pick up his test results, read them and went to his room.

"Hello Mr Reece.  I've got your test results here" she said, entering the room.

"You seem unnaturally merry, Doctor Epstein" he grumbled.  "I hope you have some good news for me"

"Well it's been a good day for me but I don't want to make you feel any worse by being too merry.  As for your results, well it's good and bad news.  The bad news is you have gallstones, Mr Reece, but the good news is that it is treatable without the need for surgery."

"That's the first bit of good news I've heard since I arrived here" he grumbled.

"Well I'll write you a prescription and the pharmacy will send you the medicine you need.  Hopefully that will help and I hope to see the Ragtime Rascals, full line up, soon.  Goodbye, Mr Reece."

One case dealt with, it was time to look in on another patient; a little boy called Jimmy Gibbs.  He had a nasty rash and fever that was bothering him.  However, there was another problem to deal with...a woman was in Jimmy's room and it wasn't a relation.  Her name was Miss Charlotte Sneed and was a patient with a separate medical condition.

"Miss Sneed...you have to leave this room immediately!" said a stern Julia.

"It's so stuffy in here!  The kid's suffering!  I'm trying to open a window!" came the reply from an agitated and manic looking Miss Sneed.

"Miss...I have to ask you to leave this room!  I need to take this boy's temperature and...what medication did you just take?"

"What?  All of it!" replied Miss Sneed.  "All of it plus my regular, daily medication"

"Oh no...you're tripping out.  I'll get a nurse to escort you back to your room."

"This room...so hot...even the paint on the walls is starting to melt..." said Sneed, in a daze.

Eventually a couple of nurses showed up and guided the spaced out Miss Sneed back to her bed, made notes about her medication being too strong and confiscating the pills she had concealed in her handbag.  For Julia, she ended her shift with some rare praise for all her hard work from none other than her hyper-critical boss, Dr Murakami.

She was exhausted and went straight home, not even changing out of her scrubs for her regular clothing.  She grabbed a light dinner and flopped on her bed.

She couldn't rest for long as she had to perform a set down at the Blue Velvet club this evening.  She was exhausted but at the same time hanging around the house on her own this evening didn't seem like much fun so playing piano for a few hours should boost her spirits, she felt.

Getting up to get changed for the club she thought about what she would wear.  Normally she didn't care about wearing the latest styles or dressing to impress but the manager of the club, who booked her to play once a week, asked if she could 'jazz up' her outfits instead of looking like someone just off the street?

But what to wear?  Her kilt like skirt was too everyday but her fancy frocks were better suited to weddings.  Her blue dress was at the dry cleaners but a couple of weeks ago she had been out with Barbara and Suzy and she bought an outfit on their advice.  Maybe it was time to give it a go?

Julia was unsure.  It was a black and white top and skirt with matching accessories, an idea inspired by Suzy's mod black and white look.  The top was snug fitting and made of a stretch material but it had long sleeves and a high neck.  The skirt was short and fitted her hips more snugly and had a prominent belt and buckle but doubts about its brevity would be countered if she wore thick tights.

She put the outfit on and thought it looked smart enough.  A bit more 'with it' than she normally wore but...well...why not make the odd concession to fashion once in a while?  She thought.  Plus...this outfit would be suitable for a date...no!  She thought again, hold that thought before it gets out of control!

She touched up her make-up, adding a bit more than she normally wore and then paused before considering her hair.  Maybe jazz that up as well?  She undid her long plaits and brushed her hair straight.  The overall effect was startling to her:  A different outfit, a bit more make up and brushing her hair straight and she looked almost unrecognisable to herself!

She noticed she'd left Jude's business card on her desk and considered calling him but thought that was highly inappropriate and forward.  The man was recovering from an illness, after all, but to let him know she was playing piano at the Blue Velvet tonight and if he were to swing by they could meet for a chat?  No, let the poor man rest!  She thought.

It was off to the Blue Velvet and she had her set list planned.  When she entered the night club already things were in full swing and there was a buzzing vibe to the place.  One or two of the male patrons noticed her enter and their heads were turned:  Who was this cute chick in the club tonight?  A new pianist, perhaps?  

She sat by the piano and played a scale to see if it was in tune:  Fortunately it was.  Then she began her set with a favourite Bacharach/David composition.

During the song she was approached by someone she knew...Kerry Fry.  Kerry stood next to the piano and watched her play without saying anything but nodding along to the rhythm of the song.  When she stopped playing she turned towards him.

"Impressive" he said.

"Thank you, I've been wanting to play that one here for some time" she replied.

"I didn't mean the song, I meant you.  I dig the new gear." he said, looking at her up and down.

"I'm not sure anyone would notice" 

"I did...listen...can I get you a drink?" he asked.

"Erm...not now.  I'm still doing the first part of my set.  I get a break in a little bit, you can get me one then."

Kerry winked at her and took a seat nearby to watch her play.

She continued to play and after 20 minutes it was time for a short break.  Her first priority was going to the bathroom, which was located upstairs at the club, and when she came back down she had found she had made some new fans.

"Bravo!  Well done!  I thought you played beautifully just now" said a young man who had an air of confidence and swagger about him.

"Thank you" Julia replied, politely.

"Please, can I get you a drink?  Will you sit with me a moment?" the man asked, smiling.  Julia liked his smile; it radiated charm and warmth.  "My name's J and I don't think I've seen you here before"

Julia took a seat next to J.  "I play here once a week." she said.

"Wait!  You're the one who accompanies Joelene!  Ah, you look so different with your hair like that."

"Do you know Joelene?" asked Julia.

"Yes; she and I are Kitten Club members...well, I am, she left to pursue her music career." replied J.

Julia bristled.  She did not like the Kitten Club and what they got up to.  She was impressed by J's charm and manners but knew that, deep down, he was only after one thing with women.  

"Well thank you for the compliments and have a great rest of the evening but I want to catch up with a friend over there before I resume my set.  Goodbye, J."

"Wait!  What about the drink?" he called out as Julia stood up.

"Thank you for the offer, but now" she said, politely.  The less contact she had with the Kitten Club, particularly the male membership, the better.  Still, no reason to spoil his evening by confronting him over it.  That's something Edna Sneedley might try, but not her.

Julia tried looking around for Kerry but couldn't see him as the bar became ever more crowded.  In the end she ordered a drink for herself and walked back towards the piano when she saw him there at a table in the company of another woman.

Kerry noticed that the expression on his date's face had turned sour and he looked behind him to see Julia standing there, holding a drink.

"Oh, sorry!  I did promise to buy you a drink!" he said, slapping his forehead.  He turned to the woman sat with him and said "My manners are all over the place this evening...may I introduce Julia to you?  She's an old friend of the family and plays piano here....Julia this is my...erm...friend..."

"I have to get ready for my next set" said Julia, coolly.

She walked away from his table, deflated that he was being flaky and didn't even mention he had a date.  At one time it looked like the two of them might go out on a date, and they had been "match made" by their respective parents, but Kerry often backed away, called things off at the last moment or else went quiet for weeks.  Julia had grown tired of his flakiness and here he was, at it again...compliments, promises to "meet up", but nothing following that.

She had about 5 minutes to spare and a drink and a pretzel to finish before she had to perform again.  All the seats were occupied except for one near the piano itself, which had one solitary man sitting at it but a spare seat next to him.

"Excuse me, is this seat free?" Julia asked the man sitting there.

"You would have to negotiate a transaction with the owners of this establishment and I believe they would want to charge you money for it." said the man in a monotone voice.

"I mean, is it occupied or will it be occupied by someone you're expecting?" said Julia, trying to be precise with a man who seemed to depend on precision in his speech.  His manner reminded her of someone she met in an art gallery months ago.  He was someone who spoke oddly as well.

"No.  It is unclaimed at this precise juncture.  You may sit there." he replied.  Julia sat down and finished her food and drink but she was still looking across the bar at Kerry and his date.  She didn't know why she took an interest or indeed cared who he was with.  But, in the recesses of her mind, there was a subconscious pang of jealousy buried deep within her.

"Sandor 21?" 

"What?" Julia was shaken from her daydream and saw the stranger was talking to her again.

"You are Sandor 21, confirm" he repeated.

"I don't know what you're talking about" said Julia, starting to get annoyed.

"Is this not your new form?  I have not been briefed about your new appearance" 

"Oh, I bought this outfit last weekend.  This is the first time I've worn it." she replied.

"Sandor 21"

"No, J.C. Penney"

"I do not understand the reference." he replied.  "However, I have nothing to report this evening."

"O....K..." said Julia, backing away.  This guy was weird!  "I have a set to perform, please excuse me" and with that she stood up and quickly made her way back to the piano.

The second part of the show went well and she made some money from her appearance fee plus tips that were placed in a very large brandy goblet by patrons.  She didn't stick around to socialise afterwards...she was done with men for this evening!