Alice's Asylum

Chapter Sixteen

"So, how it's going?" I shrugged. My work for the plan was spread all over the kitchen table. Mom was making dinner so I knew that she wasn't likely to see my blueprints of the asylum and my notes on possible exit routes.

"It's okay. I might get a promotion." I said it so off hand that my mom didn't even react until she asked me to repeat it just to check.

"A promotion?! But you've only been there five flipping minutes!"

"I know but they like my work. Anyway, I don't know how long I'll be there for anyway."

"What makes you say that, darlin'?"

"Because I think that I should have really taken your advice and go to a proper hospital for work. Or maybe I might go live with Tessie for a bit."

"Tessie? Jasper, she's about to pop soon. I don't think that she'll want you round once she has." I nodded.

"I know but I could help out. Anyway, I don't really want to go back just yet." Mom cleared a small space on the table for my plate of roast dinner. Two slices of roast beef, fries, peas and gravy.

"Jasper, you don't have to go back. You can stay here as long as you like. You know that."

"I know Mom but I also know that you might want some privacy. Anyway, I haven't spent time with Tessie for ages." Mom sighed and nodded.

"Okay Jasper. I know you need some privacy too. You're a grown up now. You can decide what you want to do." I smiled and squeezed my mother's hand.

"Thanks Mom."

******

The next day, I went straight through to Doctor Frost's office. His desk was neat and tidy with just a few sheets of paperwork spread out. One was the jobs I had for the day, another was the treatment that each patient undertook. The last was just an envelope. Inside was the key to all cell doors and another key for the treatment rooms. I put both keys in my smart trousers pocket. I didn't have to wear the standard uniform because I was just filling in so I wore my smart trousers and my favorite blue shirt with a black waistcoat. I had my identity card pinned to my front trouser pocket. It felt awesome to be running the entire area of Depth but I felt slightly nervous about my first day of work as employer instead of employee.

There was a knock on the door as I was tucking into my lunch at one. I had overseen the treatments and now all patients were in their cells. They had already been delivered food. It was bread and raspberry jam with a cup of water for all patients but Sophie and Harry who were force fed their food.

"Come in." I said through a mouthful of egg and cress sandwich. Doctor Walker came in and sat down opposite me.

"Good afternoon, Mr Whitlock. Apologies for interrupting your lunch."

"That's fine. Is something the problem?"

"Not at all. Not really anyway. I think I need to explain my job role then explain myself." I felt slightly confused.

"Okay..." I placed the rest of my unfinished sandwich on the top of my lunch box and dusted off the crumbs. Doctor Walker stood up and started pacing the room.

"My job is to talk to each of the patients. I see if they have the potential to be put through extra treatment or to go back through to Recovery." I leaned forward in my interest.

"So, you're basically the last hope that they have." Doctor Walker nodded.

"Exactly. I get to know each of the patients," He leaned over the desk to me now. "We talk and I find out a lot. So I know your plan Mr Whitlock. You plan to send four patients out of here if I'm correct?" I stared at Doctor Walker in shock.