"Nausea. Insomnia. Irritability. Smoker. Fluid-filled lungs. Journalist..." House listed off, writing each in a tally upon the whiteboard. He looked back to find two out of three of his current team with glazed-over stares; the other member, wide-eyed and curious.
"Anyone?" House asked, agitation in his voice.
"Could be simple indigestion." Chase answered, clearing his voice. House squinted his eyes, possibly unpleased with the answer.
"Indigestion wouldn't explain why the insomnia has persisted despite medication." Foreman retorted, respectfully. House nodded, pondering both answers, while his new team member stayed quiet. Bringing his eyes to hers, House's gaze froze on Madelyn who began to feel the pressure.
"Uh-uh-" she stuttered, "well we should also be asking if insomnia is the symptom or the cause. If it's the symptom, we might be dealing with a respiratory infection even as simple as common flu." The three male doctors looked at her, awaiting the other option. Madelyn hadn't expected them to care for her opinion so soon.
"And, if it's the cause, then comorbidity sleep disorders should be tested, as well as an fMRI of the pineal gland." Madelyn concluded. Both Chase and Foreman looked at each other, and seemed to find her suggestion plausible. House took his time before responding with,
"Good answer!" House cheered, "But alas, you are wrong." Foreman and Chase rolled their eyes.
"She could be right." Foreman stated honestly, pulling at his tie that was tied too tight.
"She could be right, or she could be looking past the obvious answer. Well, maybe not so obvious since you two fools didn't get it right either." House said tapping his cane to the ground like a fidget. He limped across the room a little, and took a seat next to Madelyn who was visibly nervous in his presence.
"He has that effect on people, don't worry." Chase mumbled, scribbling down something on his notepad. House pulled out something from his jacket pocket and set it on the steel table . It was a little kitchen timer. House clicked a coupe of its buttons, and tinkered with a nozzle on the back.
"You guys have 5 minutes to come up with a real diagnosis and search list for the in-home inspection." House declared, standing up and heading over to his desk.
"In-home inspection?" Madelyn questioned, confused. House stopped in his tracks and turned around,
"For possible environmental toxins. There's nothing about breaking and entering on the MCAT."
Chase chuckled, always impressed with the new excuses House comes up with.
"Should Chase and I take care of that?" Foreman asked. House scratched his beard in what looked like contemplation.
"Nah," he replied, "I want Chase to work on X-ray developments. Foreman, you and Dr. Gilmore check out the house. Keep it under two hours." Before walking back towards his desk in the corner of the large office, House made eye contact with Madelyn and said,
"You'll be in good hands, sweetheart. Foreman is an expert at this. He's no stranger to this kinda thing."
"Black joke, good one." Foreman snickered, grabbing his coat off the rack. Madelyn looked at both men, speechless.
What kinda work place is this? Madelyn thought to herself, as she headed onto the next assignment with Foreman.
YOU ARE READING
Occam's Razor - House M.D.
FanfictionSet in Princeton, New Jersey, the best medicine and health research is studied and performed at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital under the wings of hundreds of doctors. However, there's only one doctor who brings fame to the hospital: Dr...
