i. DOC MAGOOS IS NOT ROMANTIC
characters: john carter, holly heart (original character), lydia wright, doug ross (mention), carol hathaway (mention)
not proofread. All i did was run it through free grammarly...
masterlist
Doc Magoo’s had been a lifesaver for two commuters such as Dot and Holly who immediately wanted something after a trip here. Well, Holly did. Dot was just there for emotional support and the coffee. “No, the only reason that we are here is because your first shift at the hospital starts at a really archaic hour and I'm trying to support you," Dot claimed, sipping her giant cup of coffee. Holly scoffed and sliced a piece of her scrambled egg. "You know. You could've just slept in. I feel support from a mile away." Well, not really a mile away but their place was about 3 stops away if you took the L.
Dot began listing all of the times that Holly showed up for her. "Yeah, but what friend would I be? You showed up to that awful company party for that corporate job. You went with Wyatt's creepy friend for a night." It's best not to mention February 14 of 1994—worst Valentine's Day of her life. Holly never realized the talent and skill that actors had until that moment. To keep a straight face while a grown man talks about his health tips and how he stays fit is insanity.
"He told me that he blends his food, Dottie. Blends his food. That’s geriatric. You weren't even with Wyatt that long." Holly pointed out. Dottie clutched her chest feeling offended, “He’s a company doctor, Holly. Those guys have their life together. They have money to spend and have a respectable career.” Dottie looked to the window and read the hospital’s sign that said “Cook County General Hospital”
“Speaking of doctors, I met one in that bar nearby here,” Dottie added. She flipped her scarf around her neck, revealing a hickey. Holly’s eyes widened as she looked at the size of the hickey, It seemed old, looking more purple than red. “A doctor did that?!” She exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand.
Dottie smirked, “A pediatric one. He was so sweet when I met him in the bedroom. It was—wow.” Holly laughed as she tried to picture what this guy could look like. It seemed too good to be true.
“So when was this? Yesterday? Last week.” Based on the hickey, it wasn’t new.
Dottie trailed off, “Um. Last month.” Her voice became fainter as she said the last two words.
“Last month? Dorothy Montgomery, you like him, don’t you?” Holly concluded, examining the limited facts she was given. Dottie pressed her finger against her lip, “Maybe. But we’re on a casual basis.” Holly couldn’t believe her ears.
Dottie had kept a secret for an entire month. This was the girl who rushed to Holly’s house to tell her of some boy who asked her out to the prom. This was the girl who told detailed stories of every date and boyfriend. But for this guy, it was a secret? He had to be different.
“What’s his name, Dottie?” Holly asked.
“Something Ross.” Dottie trailed off, feeling hesitant to reveal this piece of information.
“Dottie.”
Dottie’s face turned red. She put down her cup of Joe and gave up. “Fine, fine. His name is Doug Ross. The reason why I didn’t want to tell you is that he works in the same hospital that you were assigned to. I just didn’t want it to be awkward.”
As soon as Holly heard the words, “works in the same hospital as you.” It immediately brought sparks in her head. “Oh my God, you’re here to see him.” Holly realized.
Dottie quickly shook her head, “No. I am here as a friend. A supportive friend who is helping her nervous friend. You’re nervous right?” A smile grew bigger on Holly’s face. “Dot. Dottie. You like him. You want to see him.” she further emphasized.
Dottie caught her face with her hands, “Fine, I did. It’s so pathetic but he never called me back last night. I just want to see him. That’s all. It would be a shame to end a good thing and by good thing I mean the sex. That’s what this is all about, of course.” As Dottie continued to speak on it, her voice grew more unsure and hesitant like she was making it as she went.
She was saying words but they held no feeling like she was talking to Holly and convincing herself of those words as well. Dottie dug her head deep into the cup, taking a big sip, avoiding Holly’s shocked face. Holly gave her an all-knowing look that said, “I do not believe it at all.”
“I can’t believe it. You like him.” Holly expressed. It was said more like an insult than a realization. Dot placed her cup down and rested her hands on the back of her head. “I know. Not my proudest moment but I need to see him again and end it on my terms.” By then, both of them had already paid for the bill and prepared to leave Doc Magoo’s.
Holly flattened her white coat to look presentable again as she stood up. She placed her hand on Dottie’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, Dot. I have your back. I’ll even confront him with you.”
Dottie laughed, “You really don’t have to do that, Holly.” Holly stopped walking. “I’ll pretend I did not hear that and go in.” She gave Dottie a look that told her friend, “Be so serious right now. I would take a bullet for you.” And Dottie would do the same for Holly.
——
County General Hospital has always been this busy and bustling with patients. Dr. Greene, the attending, struggled between his work life and family life. While Susan Lewis struggled to assert herself in the hospital. Doug Ross sat in an empty gurney and contemplated last night’s events. The overdose. Carol Hathaway limped on the bed as all the nurses and doctors worked hard to save her. It was too much for him. It changed him in such a way that he was convinced that his old ways did not serve him anymore.
A couple of rooms to the left had med student John Carter slept an extra hour, missing the opportunity to save a baby. “An infant in respiratory arrest and you didn’t wake me.” He asked Lydia. He followed her along the hall, adjusting his coat and stethoscope. “You got an extra hour’s sleep, you should thank me,” Lydia claimed. She was right but Carter couldn’t believe missing out on a possible opportunity for him.
“I know but—“
“We didn’t need you for the baby. Now we need you.” Lydia could hardly care about Carter’s whining. She had been on call for some time and it was time to sift the annoying tasks to the med student.
“For what?”
“German tourists.” They had entered a room full of tourists, vomiting their stomachs out. All of them clutched a vomit bowl like their life depended on it. All of them were quite old as well.
“They got food poisoning at a Hofbrau house on 46th.” Great. Lucky him.
“Guten Morgen. Das ist Dr. Carter.” Since when could Lydia speak German? Carter stood there trying not to seem shocked or ill.
“Guten Morgan, Herr Doctor.” The tourists all greeted back before throwing up once again and then Lydia said the magic words that all med students really hope to hear.
“They need stool guaiacs.”
“Rectals?” John asked before looking back at the crowd. His chin tightened trying not to seem annoyed. All he ever does recently is rectals. He really wanted to do something more instead of these tasks.
As he stayed in the room longer, he realized that the vomit had worked together to create a smell that was so vapid he wondered if he could ever use his nose ever again. Eight people hunched around with a stomach bug was not a good combination. Dr. Lewis was his savior when she rescued him for a man with chest pain.
However, he was summoned again for those rectals. He had done 5 already and 3 were left. “I’ll go check on a patient first,” Carter said to Wendy. He ripped off the gloves from his hands and exited the room. He exhaled, taking a breath into hospital air, stretching his arms.
On the way, he found a girl wandering around the hall. Was she another med student? She had an oversized doctor’s coat and a stethoscope positioned the same way as his. She looked around reading the signs, hoping to get a sense of direction. Carter could slap himself for thinking about this but she looked so cute, lost. Something in him wanted to guide her to the right place.
Her cheeks held the same color as blotted red paint. The middle held most pigment but the shade faded as he looked further into her face. Carter watched as she placed her fingers around her ears even though her hair was already pinned behind it. A nervous tic maybe? She looked just as lost as he did on his first day. Well, let’s be honest. He still feels lost here.
He began walking past her until she approached him and boy, her smile was cute. Her eyes held small sunlight in them.
“Excuse me, are you Carter?” She asked. He froze, trying to comprehend this moment. Weirdly enough, all he could think about was whether he looked good or not. Did he look tired? Or sweaty? Was there something on his face or coat that he could not find? He ran his hands through his hair and answered her.
“Yeah, who’s asking?” He questioned.
“One of the nurses said to help with something. It’s my first day. I’m Holly Heart, the 3rd year.” Holly was a nice name, John thought. It fit her completely.
It was easy to say and remember. Holly Heart. Holly Heart. Holly Heart. Talk about destiny. She was 3rd year just like him. Although he did have the advantage of starting earlier than her. Imagine if she specialized in cardiology, she had the perfect name for it.
“Really? I’m John Carter. I’ve been here for 2 weeks. How are you liking it so far?” He asked.
Carter could admit. He was excited to have another med student here in the emergency room. For 2 weeks, it had just been him, residents, nurses, and one attending. Now, he had someone to share his suffering.
“Well, I just got here so time will tell. Uh, do you happen to know where Dr. Ross is?” Holly asked him, looking both ways. Was she involved with Ross? Is what Carter wanted to say to her but instead he said this.
“Oh, are you planning to specialize in pediatrics?” He asked, calmly. He admitted he felt a bit sad if that is so. Holly shook her head and dipped her hands into her pockets. “No, my friend wants to speak to him.” She quickly corrected.
Carter knew of Ross’ reputation in the hospital. He was one to sleep around. He wouldn’t be surprised if he went for younger women there (and by younger he means women who are near his age).
She then paused, stepping close to his ear. “My friend was uh—let’s say—involved with him.”
“And she’s gonna slap him?” Carter assumed, jokingly. Carter would not lie there were instances where women had slapped Doug. Hell hath a woman scorned or whatever that woman said.
Her eyebrows furrowed in such a way that Carter thought it was cute. “Not a slap. She’s into diplomacy not violence.” Holly joked. Carter laughed for what it felt like the first time in the entire shift.
“That’s great. If the world had more people like that, it would be a lot more peaceful especially considering Ross’ state currently.” He’d mentioned it offhandedly.
Unfortunately, Holly latched on immediately questioning it. “What do you mean?”
Carter paused by the wall of the room he was supposed to stop by. His voice turned into a hushed tone hoping for his voice to travel to Holly’s ears only. “I’ve heard from the nurses that he’s been off his game recently ever since Carol overdosed.” Holly sighed as she realized why Dottie did not receive a call back. “Carol is?”
“One of the nurses. He was close with her.” Carter supplied. He watched as she paused to think. God, her focused face was something. He had only met her not even a moment ago and yet he noticed how her lip pursed and how she tucked her hair behind her ear.
God, he really needed to get a hold of himself.
All he wanted now was to get to know her.
“Maybe I could help you to dinner?” He was forced out. Did that seem ill-timed? Or awkward. Her lips folded up to a smile, “I hope it’s not Doc Magoo’s. I ate there earlier. Great eggs but not the most romantic place.” She commented back.
Carter bit his tongue. He had been thinking of Doc Magoo’s. Okay, scrap that idea. “Don’t worry, I’ll pick a restaurant.” He assured her. He hardly went on dates recently. Dr. Benton took over his entire schedule. His free time included 30 minutes of eating genuine sludge from the cafeteria that cannot be considered genuine food, and chips from the vending machine.
“I’ll give you my number,” Holly muttered, reaching out for her notepad. She froze in shock as a voice rang out interrupting both of them. “Hey lovebirds. Would ya quit flirting and continue healing me?” Mr. Zambano yelled out.
Holly went closer to Carter’s ear, “Who’s that?”
“Mr. Zambano. A patient of mine.” He whispered back, quickly before fixing up a smile and entering the room. “Still feeling okay?” Carter asked, casually.
Holly followed him, hoping to observe. “How much longer am I gonna have to wait?” Mr. Zambano asked.
This patient was strapped in all sorts of machines. He had an IV in his left arm and then one to measure his heartbeat. “Just a couple more minutes. We are very busy today.” Carter told him, grabbing his chart from the side of his bed. Honestly, when were they not busy?
“But you’re fine otherwise?” He added.
Holly went closer to the patient and saw how pale he was. There was perspiration on his face, unresponsive to Carter’s question. “Mr. Zambano?” She sputtered. Her voice grew unsure. Holly shook his left arm only for his head to loll to the other side. The machine only rang louder. Aggressive beeping assaulted their ears.
All Carter could think about was the patient dying.
Please don’t die.
Please don’t die.
Please don’t die.
His stats had dropped to zero. Carter shook the patient once more before rushing outside. “Hey, I could use some help in here!” He yelled as much as his voice allowed him to. Holly frowned seeing how the nurses were busy with other patients.
“John, the defibrillator!” Holly called out. John immediately ran to it, turning it on and charging it up. He dragged the paddles to the room and onto the patient. Holly eyed him from the other side of the gurney, hoping for this to work.
Please be alive.
Please be alive.
Please be alive.
“Clear!” Carter shocked him once and his eyes burst open. “What the hell are you doing?” The patient cried. “Sorry,” Carter muttered. Carter slowly backed away as more nurses gathered in the room giving their offers of help. Holly backed away with him, cracking a smile. He couldn’t believe it either.
They saved a life.
Carter swept through his hair and exited the room. “We’re a good team, Carter,” Holly said, still shocked at what just happened. He smiled and stepped closer until a familiar voice ripped them away. “Carter, get in here. I got a gunshot wound on the shoulder.”
He clicked his tongue, annoyed about the interruption. “I’ve got to go.” He told her, disappointed.
She smiled, “Yeah um, see you.” She said before walking away. Unbeknownst to her, Carter had looked back watching her go away in that direction.
Benton groaned, “Carter, you’re not here to play the lovesick med student. Get in here, now.” He scolded. Carter immediately retracted his head following Benton as if he were a lost duckling.
