The Smile

XII - The campaign for the perfect smile

      Every two weeks, on Mondays evening, members of the campaign for oral hygiene prevention will reunite. In Dr Cate Beckett's office, who started the project, dentists will meet friendly and share ideas on how to inform, and sensitize children, parents, families, and people. The goal of these meetings was to find the best way to raise awareness. So, Dr Gal Hedstater proposed posters and images displayed in town, everywhere and also on Internet, as ads. The idea was accepted by every dentist : they were delighted of such a campaign.

This Monday, Dr Elizabeth Darcy had brought back Dr Alex Ryder, as a model for the posters :

"May I present to all of you, the smile of the year.. Miss Alex Ryder !"

Every dentist claps and cheers. Alex blushes under the friendly arm of Eliza, that she leaves around her waist.

All of them asked for photos, and her large smile, which she was displaying alongside Elizabeth. And discussions started to fuse :

"No doubt Eliza decided it will be you.

- I.. beg your pardon ?

- You have one of the prettiest smile I've ever seen !"

The intriguant and insistant, rude, man was Dr Henri Donovan, a specialized dentist. He was usually seen bragging about his last holidays, his new car and new girlfriend. But everyone sees in him, a skillful dentist, a hard worker, and a help on the campaign.

"Thanks..

- You two got to see each other a lot to work on it."

He was insisting. Alex started feeling uncomfortable.

"We did. She has been a great help.

- Of course."

The funny one turns at the personal impresario, Dr Elizabeth Darcy :

"Tell me, Eliza, how is it to examine such a hell of a smile ?"

Talkings stops right away, everyone focuses on the two.

"It is a great honor. How would you react, Dr Henri Donovan ?"

Henri giggles, nervously. The jokes and the irony meant he suspects something.

"I would be very pleased to work with this, very lovely, Alex."

Cate had seen the fear in Elizabeth's eyes, and Alex's red cheeks. She decides to come, as a help to her friend :

"Oh Henri, please, are you jealous ?"

Henri, again, sneers in front of Alex. His hand on her shoulder, was a sign of provocation to Elizabeth. Cate was disgusted by Henri's attitude.

"Right, everyone ! I think we can all agree on the fact that the posters will look amazing with Alex's smile !"

The lasts words of Cate had bring back the warm atmosphere. Henri leaves a false smile at Alex, before heading to the small buffet. Cate heads at the two.

"What a jerk..

- Does he know something..?

- Maybe. At least, he imagines.

- Do people suspect anything going on between us ?

- They may do. We all do."

Elizabeth looks down. Cate encourages the two with a large smile.

" Don't care of what people think. I think you're great together."

Elizabeth mimes a thanks to her friend before leaving, as her pager was ringing. Alex goes with her, to avoid Henri's jokes.

Cate walks fast in the blue hallway, searching for old records. Usually they are stored in the closet. She opens it finding something unexpected and surprising.

Dr Jessica Vosgen was above Dr Simon Lejeune, undressed and with messy hair. No need to say more.

"What.. You ? And ..? Never-mind I just need these.."

She gets out with a small box of files.

"These days.. It's spring time.."

The nearly supply room was also occupied. Elizabeth and Alex, after the tensions, kept kissing each other deeply. This one melted in Eliza's blue eyes. Finding each other again, between breaths and kisses. Warms arms, blue hungry eyes covered by blue blouses and full smile : escaping one more time far away from the rush. They kept falling in each other's arms, between boxes and files. Filled of desire, Elizabeth could taste the fresh minted lips of her patient, student and colleague.

Claire and Sam kept focusing on files, and patients all day. Since the end of the competition, they started to work together. The dynamic of such a duo had produce a great job. By joining one to another, they were working better, faster and closer than ever. Dr Dearing was playing the role of assistant. She had a passionnante eye for her colleague, Dr Wylde. The other one was being the dentist, surgeon. Claire gave her the tools, the equipments, Sam operates. Sometimes, glances covered between tasks and masks were the proof of another feeling, beside professionalism. There is no doubt these two were not caring for their techniques, but more especially for the other one.

Days after days, procedures after procedures, Dr Wylde had catch the sight of an improvement in Claire. She wasn't this freak anymore. Lately, she had become more calm and patient. As for Dr Dearing, she was surprised to see Sam working in such good precisions. She paid attention to her gaze when Dr Wylde was busy examining. She noted the serious glances, sweeping all teeth. Her hands were precise, covered by white latex. Her technique was incredible, and kept improving over the Claire's tips.

Madam Lisa Eldestein had put these two into a group. "Of course ! This could totally work ! " She replied when summoning the two dentists the other day. Claire got out of the office, with a weird feeling. Both desire and tension. Sam was filled of this same energy, pushed to an unknown challenge. They both loved it. Winning the support of Madam Eldestein meant a lot to them.

Interns were replaced. Waves of new recruits were evolving. They kept arriving, retaking the empty places and working. The same circle kept repeating. A huge steamy machine, the once nicknamed monster, was now domesticated by Dr Alex Ryder. The mechanics were thought by other interns to another, and again and again. Eva would always yell, as Dr Simon Lejeune, on them. They asked the best of students. Failure was not a possibility. The reputation of the hospital had changed : the small clinic was getting bigger. And cares were known as the bests.