Set in Princeton, New Jersey, the best medical research is studied and performed at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. And there is one doctor in particular who brings fame to the hospital-Dr. Gregory House.
Recently graduated medical stud...
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After the thrill of her first week at Princeton-Plainsboro, Madelyn spent her weekend working on her research proposal for the NMA conference.
She began her research with clinical diagnostics, then emergency medicine, and finally landed on medical toxicology and addiction medicine. She had to consider reasons from her past that have influenced her decision to pursue a career in medicine, which further lead her to addiction and toxicology topics. Her reflections showed her addiction-ruined mother.
Her mother wanted great things for her daughter, but failed to be Madelyn's role model in how to achieve them. Madelyn's relationship with her mother could be explained and examined by her experiences growing up. But also by biology, diseases and everything else she's learned in becoming a doctor. The best research–Madelyn thought–is a blend of knowledge, passion, and experience. Therefore, it seemed this was the perfect route to take.
Early in her second week of work, Madelyn had pieced together the beginnings of her research proposal: an outlined process, some resources, and her personal statement. She held it in the small grasp of her hand, and entered House's office. Immediately, the light beaming through the windows warmed her face as she walked towards House's desk, her eyes aglow with sunlight and adrenaline. As she turned the corner, she was met with the woody and fresh musk of his cologne, and she saw House sitting at his desk reading.
She felt her heart beat harder, but proceeded towards his desk where she found herself standing before him. Whatever he was reading, he was engrossed in it, so Madelyn stood patiently until he was ready for her. After almost two minutes, she cleared her throat to which House's icy-blue eyes raised to her. He set down a magazine that Madelyn came to realize was a porn issue. She involuntarily grimaced at it and the somewhat torn edges of the pages indicating it was well-loved by House.
Her heart felt frozen, and sat in her chest like a boulder; House's eyes glazed over.
"Dr. House, is now a good time?" Madelyn asked as she moved some of her hair behind her ear.
"I don't know, is it?" He replied with his usual tone, not looking directly at her.
"I have my research proposal, and I was hoping you might have time to look over it quickly?"
"You want me to look over it quickly? That doesn't sound productive."
Madelyn exhaled, "No, I meant if you're busy, you could just take a glance."
"Busy? Never." House answered, adjusting his reading glasses before reaching for the blue folder in Madelyn's hand.
Madelyn watched as her boss scanned the text, hoping it was good enough for his approval. Even though she was still getting to know House, she had already developed respect for him as both her boss and as a doctor. Therefore, she trusted his opinion. So, whether or not House liked her proposal, Madelyn wanted his feedback.
She stood before him fidgeting with her necklace and rings a little, and looked at all the little things that lined on his desk in the process. He appeared to like figurines that looked somewhat ambiguous. He also appeared to like music for there was both a small stereo on his desk and a larger record player in the corner of his office. Madelyn also loved music and wondered what kinds of music he liked and if they were similar to the music she liked.
Just then, House tossed the folder back to her without a word. She looked blankly at him, waiting for any sort of comment:
"So?" Madelyn said apprehensively, confused. House's eyes looked contemplative,
"It's just an outline, right?" House asked.
"Well, yeah, but I thought you were willing to give me some feedback?"
"Sure am: start over." House stated, monotonically, sounding almost annoyed.
"You need to dig deeper." he admitted nonchalantly.
Madelyn handed him the folder back, and he opened it and pointed to a certain paragraph. He began reading her a section that asked her the reasoning behind her chosen topic. Madelyn walked behind his desk, and stood beside House. Her hips were at his shoulder.
House read aloud: "It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self, that I believe I am fit to research the role of psychopharmacology and addiction in medicine. As the product of a child that lived in a home with an addict, I know firsthand that addiction is both a cause and effect of that which medicine can shed unmatched light on."
"What?" Madelyn asked, "is it too personal?".
House scratched at his beard, "It's not what you wrote, but what you're writing about." House told her, "I know making the research somewhat personal is considered a plus, however, you've clearly gone the easy route."
"Exactly what does that mean?" Madelyn questioned, her voice taking a higher pitch. She was getting upset.
"You're claiming to know this topic inside and out. Pick something else... something that is going to prove more challenging." House instructed.
"Dr. House, with all do respect," Madelyn said trying to stay calm, "but in no way is this topic the easy way out, where my drug-addicted mother is concerned."
"Please, drug-addiction is about as common as the flu nowadays." House retorted, turning his chair to face Madelyn. He was met with the warm floral scent of her perfume.
"Oh, so that must include you right?" Madelyn responded, crossing her arms.
House stared at her, looking her up and down. He reached for his cane that leaned against the side of his desk. He then he stood up, standing before his new employee. House was significantly taller than Madelyn, and she couldn't help but feel a little bit intimidated when she had to lift her gaze to him. His gaze, on the other hand, didn't break.
"What are you implying, Gilmore... or should I say Madelyn?" House asked curiously, and almost smiling.
Madelyn rolled her eyes, and said, "I'm not blind, Dr. House. I'm not obtuse either; I see you popping pills down your throat all throughout the day. I know you're taking Vicodin, I know you're taking way too high of a dose, and I know that you're addicted."
"You're so polite, please, not around me," House enthused sarcastically, "Really, just be yourself."
"If you insist," Madelyn said taking a deeper breath, "you should get help before it's too late. My mother waited too long, and now our relationship is broken. She burned all her bridged down, and has virtually no hope regarding living a normal, independent life."
"You have no idea what it's like, until it's you." House responded, his voice husky and ignited with frustration.
His eyes sunken with a broken gaze. Madelyn watched as he began walking past his desk and towards the door. She stopped him in his tracks, and said:
"And you know nothing about me, Greg. Don't pretend that you do."
House watched Madelyn stand up for herself, and he was undeniably impressed. He liked that she was feisty, and confident. He liked that she was genuine, or at least putting up a convincing facade that she was. But in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter. He knew everybody lied.
"You're right about that. But that's what team building day's for."
Madelyn was caught off guard by his statement,
"Team building day? Doesn't seem like your style."
Opening the door to exit, House winked at Madelyn saying,
"Well, I guess you don't know all that much about me either, Gilmore."
