One Night Only

Wednesday

Back at the doctor's office. If she had to be sick, she better do it right. The room was crowded. If only the government here had free healthcare. Then again, canadian Burdine wouldn't have the same ring to it. There is this eerie music playing while children are sitting on chairs. Covid changed everything everywhere. Different names were being called. It was getting ridiculously long. Very long.

She recalled that time she brought Kaycee here for her nose. Or was it Kirstee? It was so much quicker and there wasn't this stupid music playing. Wait, that's a Christmas song. Already? It's too early to be Christmas. Halloween isn't even over. Nonsense.

How about that time the Bratz were her students. She got this side-gig because her friend from high school, Portia, was travelling. She actually enjoyed teaching fashion. It was refreshing from all of that paper-work. Why was she doing this again? Oh right, Burnice. She had a beauty magazine for a while. Everything becomes a blur when you pretend to be someone else. Or is it herself? That's dark.

''Burdine Maxwell, room 7'' she heard from the loud intercom.

She got up and walked her way to the small office. It was a man. Again. She sat down and greeted him with a sad smile.

''Miss Maxwell, welcome back. How are the anti-depressants?''

''Doc, we know this isn't working. I had cocaine inside of me for Fuck's sakes''

''Please be polite, miss. I'm just asking because I am your doctor''

''Well, I guess they don't work''

''Any other... incidents?''

''...''

''Miss Maxwell?''

''I- Why are we doing this?''

''We talked about it, your sister brought you here after you-''

''After I tried to throw myself of a roof yady-yada''

''That's not good''

''I just don't understand why I need help. Just let me go. I'll suffer regardless and you'll still get your nicely printed paycheck''

''I can't do that. That's not my job''

''Your job is to do what the client wants right? I would know, I own a goddamn magazine'' Burdine shouted while standing up.

''Miss, sit down please''

Burdine sat back down ashamed. It been a while since her behavior was violent.

''Miss Maxwell, you are diagnosed with PTSD. You remember why, right?''

''I don't need to be remembered. I was already humiliated on live television and lost a ridiculous amount of money because of it. I got dead threats and emails of people wishing I could hang myself because of those Bratz. I only wanted to work on what I loved, my magazine, the only thing that kept me from going bankrupt. Those ingnorant, those abominable Bratz''

''Now, why are we putting the blame of them, they are nice young ladies right?''

''You're right, it's that Byron Powell guy that worked on the whole thing''

''We need to work on some... inner work. I'll refer you to a psy''

''Doc, please don't do this to me''

''It is my duty, and we talked about it. If the pills weren't working, it's therapy''

Burdine left the building after that long conversation feeling betrayed. She doesn't need therapy. She can take care of herself. This man has no idea what he is talking about. Clearly, there is no problem.

There was a moment of silence. She stared into the clear view of the path way. He was right there. Byron. Fucking. Powell. Burdine jaycrossed her way to the otherside in pure furry. It was worse than a horror film.

''You ruined me!'' the tall woman spoke loudly. Everyone was staring.

''I'm sorry, there must be a misunderstanding''

''Fuck no! You. Ruined. Me. On live television. There were billions who saw me. I went bankrupt because of you''

''I just-''

''Don't you dare play innocent to me. Do you know who I am?''

''Burdine! Hey! I'd reconize that phrase-'' the british man nervously said knowing damn well who it was the entire time.

''Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I want payback. I went to therapy for 4 years. Went to court for 5 years with your boss 'Mr. Steel' and not only that but you were seeing the Bratz girls this ENTIRE time and never apologized to me''

''But-''

''How could you, I knew you were wrong but that is some next level degree of ruining someone''

''Burdine-''

''Enough! I want an apology''

''Mr. Powell it's time to go, the new season of America Rocks is about to start'' a voice from the side was heard and as soon as it was Byron entered a black van.

''Son of a bitch''