It's Coming Around | Lawrusso

It's Coming Around Chapter 5/10

"It might be a good idea to avoid doing any extreme sports this week," the reporter said cheerfully as he reported live from outside an Emergency Room. "You definitely don't want to get injured, as hospitals are currently extremely overcrowded due to the Karma Virus. I have Doctor Jake Parker of Cedars-Sinai Hospital here with me to explain. Good morning, Doctor Parker."

"Good morning, Kent," the doctor said.

"Can you tell us what's happening?"

"Yes, Kent," the doctor nodded. "Our Emergency room is extremely busy right now, and it's not just the people who are suffering injuries due to HAd-20. We're getting a lot of accidents, car crashes, fires etc. that are being caused when people suffer the effects of the virus."

"Can you give us an example, Doctor Parker?"

"Yes, Kent," he nodded. "Early this morning a man collapsed on a cross walk when he felt a HAd-20 injury. A city bus had to swerve to avoid him and ploughed into a car. Several people on the bus were injured, and unfortunately the driver of the car was pronounced dead on the scene. And that's just one example. Accidents like this are happening all over the city."

"So, many of the people who are not only getting injured, but in some cases actually dying, are people who aren't suffering from Karma Virus related injuries?"

"Unfortunately, yes, that is the case," the doctor said with a solemn nod.

"Don't you think that lends credence to the increasing calls for people who are suffering from Karma Virus injuries to be left without medical treatment?" the reporter asked, smiling towards the camera. "After all, aren't they just getting what they deserved, and other people are suffering because of what they did?"

"That's not how this works, Kent," the Doctor said, shuffling uncomfortably. "We provide care on the basis of need, and we don't make judgements like that."

"Well, maybe it's time someone stepped in and started making those tough decisions for you," the reporter said to the camera with a wide smile. "This is Kent Scott, handing back to the studio."

"What a fucking asshole," Daniel said, as he turned the TV off and slammed the remote down.

*

Johnny was in the kitchen when it happened. One of the lightbulbs had fizzled out, and he grabbed a new Halogen from the drawer.

"You don't have to do this now," Daniel said. "It can wait."

"I'm fine, LaRusso," Johnny said, as he grabbed the step ladder. "For all we know I'm immune since I haven't caught it off you yet."

"Famous last words," Daniel said with a grin.

"Knowing my luck, yeah," Johnny said, as he took a step up. He climbed to the top of the ladder, reached up and took out the old bulb, then handed it down to Daniel.

He pulled the replacement out of his pocket and screwed it into the fitting, then said, "See, good as new."

Daniel looked up at him, and was about to speak, when Johnny's head snapped back as if he'd been punched.

Johnny fell from the ladder, twisting in the air as he plunged down onto the counter top with a loud crash, then bounced onto the floor.

"Johnny!" Daniel shouted as he pulled the ladder out of the way and crouched down next to him.

Johnny sat up, sitting cross legged on the floor, with blood seeping down his forehead from a shallow scratch.

Daniel grabbed a dishcloth and held it Johnny head, wiping away the blood. "Are you OK?" he asked.