Practicing Medicine // Complete

Chapter Fifteen: The Skyline

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2075 ROBCO(R)

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STATUS

Battery Level: 24%

Wireless Signal: (?)

Operating Temperature: 92F

HEALTH

BP: 130/100

SPO2: 100%

Temp: 98.5F

RR: 14

HR: 90

TIME

Day: 29 SEP. 2279

Time: 23:24

CLIMATE

Current Temperature: 73 F

Atmospheric Pressure: 761 mmHG

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The full moon hung high in the clear, starry night sky of the Teakettle-Junction traditional village, where a celebration was in full swing. Shouting, laughter, and terrible bluegrass music filled the smoky air. It was a celebration for the life of Amos, who, much to the surprise of everyone, was currently recovering in the medical tent over a steaming plate of mashed-tatos and onion soup. Everyone had assumed that he was a goner, until the weird auslander with the raggedy white coat showed up and cured him of his affliction. They'd even built a huge funeral pyre, which was currently being used as the centerpiece of the party to roast kebabs and marshmallows.

Where is that weird auslander now, someone must have wondered, and why hasn't he come out to celebrate?

Well, that auslander has got issues, and he don't much enjoy loud singing. So, he was tucked away in a corner of the town hall, enjoying a candlelit dinner and a bottle of wine with his friend Savanna. There were other people in the building sitting around the main table and telling ghost-stories, but none of them seemed to notice us. Without the coat, I just looked like a scrawny farmer, and people already knew that Savanna was back. Seemed like most people here either didn't care enough for her or about her to say anything.

"... and, now that we're alone, I just wanted to say that I'm real sorry about how I cornered you during the surgery. I was just being brash, 'cause things were going so well, and I figured that since I was already on a roll..."

"Oh my God, Isaac, we've been over this! You saved my brother, I feel like you deserve a little bit of slack," interrupted Savanna. I didn't look up from my plate, which contained a hearty mix of steak, mashed-tatos, gravy, and bread. Maybe, if I kept staring at the burn-lines on the steak, my anxiety would go away.

"Well, I don't think you should be obligated to like me, just 'cause I helped you. That'd be stupid," I replied, pushing my chunky mashed tatos through the slats of my fork. Savanna reached across the table to put her hand on top of mine. I didn't stop her.

"Isaac, look at me." I looked at her. She didn't look angry, but faces are good at lying, so I quickly looked back down. "I don't feel obligated to do anything; I just really like you. I have problems letting people close to me, so I got freaked out when you asked me on a date, kinda like I got freaked out when I realized how much I liked spending time with you last night. I think you're amazing."