DOCS

DOCS: Part 1

"Welcome to the World Health Service, Citizen Smith!" Winnie Smith rolled her eyes as the message boomed in her earpieces, as well as across her visor. In private, citizens could see and hear anything they wanted, it had been that way for decades: except in C. Corporation establishments, which could override communications. She could still see a projection of the corridor as she trudged along in her place in the shuffling line of fellow citizens, snaking its way into the WHS clinic.

"The World Health Service, a public service brought to you by the C. Corporation! Please prepare for access protocols, and don't forget your certification – or your smile!" An old-style yellow emoji with a green-lipped smile highlighted the importance of this final point.

"Thank you for choosing the WHS for your care-service." 'Choose' isn't exactly the word, thought Winnie. Access to non-WHS providers was only available to Corporation officials, the various militias and a smattering of uber-rich. It was a relief when the herd in front had dwindled enough to finally reveal the entrance doors just a few metres ahead of her.

Winnie Smith waited patiently in the airlock, as the decontaminant hissed down from the ceiling nozzles, swirling round her and sheathing her in a cool mist. Smells nicer than last month. Still, it did sting her nostrils and throat as she inhaled. She coughed and hacked up phlegm, along with the dozen or so fellow care-service clients in the airlock. The WHS was constantly trying out new additives for scent and flavour, but the active ingredients in its decontaminant remained potent, and quite right too. There were a lot of nasty bugs out there, but they most certainly had no place in a Service clinic. The point was underlined by the holographic projection on the far door of a smiling World Health Service nurse – a human one! - syringe in hand, chasing away some cartoon germs.