Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

The whole hospital seemed to be looking forward to the Actors' visit, it seemed to Conrad on the day of his scheduled visit.   There had been visits by celebrities prior to this but none seemed to have stoked up as much interest as one Steve Hills.   The fair haired man had been educated on the man, albeit, unintentionally as he overheard various snippets of conversations.  He now knew that Hills was an A List celebrity.  He had appeared in  movies opposite the likes of such Hollywood stalwarts as Al Pacino and Robert Redford and from the most recent era he had co-starred along aside  Chris Evans and Gerard Butler amongst others.  Although he was a couple of years younger than Conrad the Actor had already built up a strong body of work in his chosen field.   The series Devon had informed him about managed to top the Nielsen Ratings on a weekly basis.  Devons' excitement about the arrival of the TV Doctor had increased exponentially as the time got closer to his arrival.   The Resident had mildly tried to dampen his friends' enthusiasm by stating that Movie Stars usually turned their hand to TV when they were no longer being offered roles.    The first year Resident had merely pointed out that the series Writer and Director was in fact the Actors' brother.     Grinning Conrad had shaken his head and apologised for being so cynical.    Watching from an elevated vantage point, where he had a full view of the foyer, he noted the Photographers and  fans seemed to be edging slightly closer to the main entrance time he looked.  He felt for the Police Officers who were doing their best to deal with shrewd Photographers and excited fans.   Not for the first time he wondered why celebrities felt the need to exploit their good deeds for publicity.   The question which reared its' ugly head of course was would the good need in fact be done if there was no one there to record it.  Shaking his head he looked around and noted the newly arrived Dr. Bell standing aside just to the right of the doors straightening his tie in readiness for a bright and false welcome under the glare of those flashing lights he so obviously craved.   A glance at his cell informed him the Actor was late but he figured the delay was probably a planned one.   Deciding to get back to work he turned and almost collided with Nic who laughed nervously causing him to look at her closer and see the smiling rosy cheeked features and bright eyes.

"You too?"
"Hey he's hot," the Nurse Practitioner noted as she walked off, "what can I say?"
"Anything but that!" Conrad shouted after her in mock rancour then turned and this time collided with a bigger obstacle, this one not smiling and serious eyed.
"Sorry Mike.   Never heard you."
"A good thing I have to say as you have been avoiding me since you got back," the Psychiatrist pointed out unhappily as the noise by the foyer escalated and cameras began flashing.
"You going down to meet Steve Hills? the Resident went for a change of subject as he looked at the melee which ensued as the Actor and his entourage walked through the automatic glass doors after the main attraction waved to his fans.
"No.  Now come away so we can talk where it's quiet."
"Mike I'm on shift.   I'll catch you another time," Conrad frowned as he heard his name being called from below and saw HODAD beckoning him to go down.
"Guess you're needed," Mike chuckled knowing his friend had been looking for an escape but not the one which had been presented.
"Wonderful!"

Down in the foyer the noise from outside was much louder and as the Resident approached the Surgeon with a frown he noted that although he had a smile on his face it did not reach his eyes and his body language betrayed an anger he was endeavouring to cover up.   Wondering just what he was walking into the fair haired man looked at Bell quizzically.

"You wanted to see me."
"Mr. Hills and his Manager, Mr. Randy Dukes, would like to talk to you about your recent adventure."
"Sorry I think ye have me confused with someone else," Conrad nodded to the two men and the three others standing behind then went to turn away.
"No we don't," Dukes insisted ingratingly, "you are Conrad Hawkins are you not?"
"Yes but ......,"
"In that case perhaps we could talk somewhere in private," Dukes straightened up to his full six foot four and looked at Bell, "is there perhaps a free room we could use?"
"This isn't a hotel," the Resident cut in and looked from the silent Actor to Dukes and back again, "and I'm on duty."
"Dr. Hawkins is right of course," Bell spoke nodded in agreement, "but he can be spared for half an hour."
"I ......,"
"Just listen to what we have to say," Dukes cajoled as Hills looked displeased, "that's all.   There is the matter of the money .....,"
"Mr. Hills has just made a sizeable donation to the Chastain Memorial Fund," Bell explained after a brief pause, leaving his subordinate to work out what would be best for the hospital.
"That donation  was meant to be annonymous," Hills spoke shooting a vehement glare at Dukes and Bell before looking at the Resident, "and it is not dependent on you agreeing to talk to us."
"I wasn't suggesting it was," Dukes blustered but it was obvious the implied threat was real.
"I'll talk to Mr. Hills,"  Conrad said suddenly ignoring Bells' surprise at the capitulation, "but only him."
"No.   That won't do .....," Dukes began imperiously only to be cut off.
"My name's Steve and it will do," the handsome dark haired young man assured calmly, "now since this is your turf how about you find some place quiet?"
"Follow me," Conrad grinned as he avoided the death glares from the fuming Bell and Dukes as their presence was clearly not required.

Ten minutes later in the privacy of an On Call from Conrad looked across at the Actor sitting on the one chair in the small room and had to admit he definitely had the face of a Movie Star.   His dark fringed hair was complimented with deep brown eyes and high cheekbones.   Maybe he should start hoping Nic didn't walk in he sighed to himself ruefully.

"So why do you want to talk to me?"
"We were in Savannah last week," Hills made himself comfortable and rested an ankle across his knee as the fair haired man walked over and sank down on the lower bunk bed without much enthusiasm, "and heard this story about a visiting Doctor who had rescued the Sheriffs' son.   Since we're filming in Atlanta for the start of the new series Randy figured we could hear the story from the horses' mouth, so to speak."
"And?"
"Use it in our show."
"Ye went to a lot of trouble coming here to hear a story," Conrad said with vague unease, "would you have visited the kids without the story?"
"Yes," Hills replied without any hesitation, "I would never use sick children."
"That why the Paparazzi are outside?" Conrad asked sardonically.
"No " Hills lost his carefree pose and rose to pace the floor, "Randy got carried away.   Like his threat about the donation."
"So if he does things like that why stick with him?"
"I owe him.  He took me on when I was seventeen.   Without him I would never have become successful."
"And I bet he never lets you forget you owe him," Conrad sighed in disgust just as rushing feet could be heard outside, "what the hell?!"
"Can't see smoke," the Actor observed as he followed his companion out into the corridor as people rushed by them heading for the exit.
"Hey what's going on?" Conrad grabbed hold of a frightened teenage boy.
"There's someone shooting up the ER!" the teen half shouted as he yanked his arm free and ran off following the other panicked people.
"You'd better go," Conrad instructed firmly as he eyed the Actor.
"I'm sticking with you."
"It might be dangerous!"
"Exactly."
"You sure?" Conrad asked as he turned to begin up the corridor in the opposite direction to everyone else.

He wondered vaguely what Bell would think of him leading his golden egg into danger and deciding he didn't give a damn he gestured for the man to follow.   He sincerely hoped he wouldn't regret his action.

Authors' Note

Nielsen Ratings ...... Research is carried out by the Nielsen company to ascertain the measurement of television audience numbers in U.S.

tbc