“What’s your hurry? There’s a cute girl over there, looking you over. Why don’t you go say ‘hi’ while we’re waiting?”
Fozzie turned a stricken look towards the woman, who smiled warmly at him.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” he whimpered softly. “Hide me!”
“Well, that’s an option, too.” Rowlf commented, unfazed.
“What?!” Their attention was drawn back to Gonzo and the receptionist. “What do you mean she’s gone?!”
Forgettting about beguiling stares for the moment, Fozzie made a strangled sound and pulled off his hat with a trembling paw. Rowlf shook his head in confusion, and then, noticing Fozzie’s reaction moved quickly to reassure him. “No, Fozzie, I don’t think they mean-“
“This is terrible! This is a tragedy! How could you have let this happen?! You said it would be fine!” Gonzo was carrying on like the word was coming to an end... a peaceful, dignified end.
“Poor… poor Piggy.” Tears were brimming in the bear’s wide eyes.
“Listen, I’m sure they don’t mean-“
Gonzo stomped backed to them, visibly upset. “I don’t, I don’t know how to tell you this, fellows, but Piggy-“
Fozzie abruptly began to wail. “Oh no! How could this have happened? How will we ever tell Kermit?!”
Rowlf patted him awkwardly on the arm. “There, there.” Gonzo shot a questioning look at Rowlf who shrugged. “What’s going on?”
“They sent Piggy home about an hour and a half ago.”
The frazzled receptionist called out, “We did not sendher home! The patient insisted on leaving early this morning and so we accommodated her.”
Gonzo turned to face her again. “I don’t understand why you did that. She was way too sick just to go homealone.”
“Dr. Bernstein examined her and pronounced her fit to leave. Anything more than that is between the doctor and the patient.”
“So Piggy’s alright?” Rowlf asked, more for Fozzie’s benefit than anything else.
“So… so Piggy’s alive?”
Gonzo blinked. “Of course she is. Why would you think otherwise?”
“Well, you said, you said she was gone!”
“Well, I didn’t mean gone gone.”
“Well, doggone,” Rowlf chuckled, “Isn’t it time that we get gone?”
Yes,” the receptionist broke in icily, “it is. So, if you will excuse me, I have work to do.”
Fozzie settled his floppy brown hat back in its customary position. “Gee, this isn’t a very friendly hospital, is it?”
Rowlf eyed Gonzo. "You really have a way with women, don't you?"
"So you noticed!"
"Try to avoid 'em, myself... when I can."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Oh, yeah?! Well, come over here and say that to my face, you cretin!”
“She’s back,” Rizzo sing-songed cheerfully as he bounded towards the door where Piggy stood, bellowing at some unfortunate individual he couldn't see. “Heya, toots, how’s it goin’?”
