Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 12, Checkup Time

Daniel and Derick set course for the guardian doctor Sheldon. The two walked down countless sidewalks and streets. Derick rambled on about the history, politics, and locations of the Internet while Daniel continued to struggle to take in his surroundings, let alone Derick's words. 

"Well, we're here!" Derick exclaimed. Daniel, not paying attention, ran into Derick after his sudden stop.

"That was quick. How is it that we always seem to be no more than ten fifteen minutes from anywhere around here?" Daniel questioned.

"You know you can find whatever you're looking for in just a few clicks and searches? It's like that."

"Seems more like plot convenience to me." Daniel muttered to himself. It wasn't until now that Daniel got a good look at where the two ended up. It looked like every other doctor's office or hospital that Daniel was familiar with, except for one thing. Daniel was concerned with a series of giant light up letters on the building that read WebMD. "WebMD? Our special doctor works for WebMD? I thought you weren't supposed to take that website seriously!?"

"I'm pretty sure people not understanding medicine and diagnoses are what make WebMD unreliable in your world. Either way Sheldon is a trusted doctor and has been with the guardians since the beginning. Some even consider him an honorary guardian. So, show him some respect. Also, he does get a little defensive about his profession." 

"Right, sorry." Daniel and Derick walked into the office and approached the reception desk. 

"Hi, we're here to see Dr. Sheldon Fealgud."

"Are you fucking kidding me? His name is literally doctor feel good?" Daniel whispered. 

"Yes now shut up." Derick whispered back.

"Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked. 

"No, but I know he does nothing all day besides read and wait for us to call him. So, let's help the guy earn his paycheck because I'm sure he's really got nothing better to do." 

"Right this way." The receptionist lead Daniel and Derick down the hospital's many hallways to a room labeled 115. "He should be right inside."

"Great, thanks." Derick said. Derick opened the door to a short man with big round glasses wearing a bright white lab coat. 

"Yes? Oh, Derick, it's you. To what do I owe this impromptu, and unwarranted, visit?" Sheldon asked, not hiding his snark. 

"Official guardian business. We need you to run some tests on the kid here." Derick pointed back at Daniel.

"Wait, tests?!" Daniel protested.

"First of all, without prior notice I wouldn't call this official business. Second of all, the only business I have is guardian business. And third of all, I'm very busy right now so I don't have time to be the brains to your brutish brawn. Besides it seems like scrawny doesn't consent to your demands either." 

"Scrawny?" Daniel questioned. 

"Look, Sheldon, we don't have time for this." Derick sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"I'm like a foot and a half taller than him with twice the muscle." Daniel proclaimed, ignored by the others. 

"Can you just give him the basics. It's already difficult to train a new guardian as is, but he requires a bit more."

"What do you mean by that?" Sheldon inquired.

"Oh, it's nothing really."

"No go on. What is it?"

"It's seriously nothing. I mean, if you really wanted to know you could do those tests. But since you're not, I guess you won't have to worry about it." Derick looked back at Daniel and smirked.