Unorthodox Orderly

Dr. Jeykell made his early morning rounds visiting patients and checking with his staff on the progress of several 'severe' cases.

One man, in particular, was admitted for severe depression and bouts of unprovoked violence. He was sedated, heavily, most of the time, but the doctor wanted to discover what triggered the unpredictable emotional outbursts.

"How are we feeling today Mr. Henshaw?"

The man lifted his head like it was a forty pound weight on a thin reed. His speech slow and deliberate.

"Not...to...well...Dr....Jey..kell." He said with a sad voice.

Taking the man's pulse, the doctor nods.

"Would you enjoy being outside, maybe sit, in the garden with a nurse?"

Dr. Jeykell was thinking of Grace and the calming affect she seemed to have with a few of the challenging, long-term residents.

As if on cue, Grace enters the room, all in crisp white linen, her hair tied up in a braided bun at the nap of her neck. Quietly, she came to the man's side; placing a hand on the slumped shoulder.

Her voice low and soothing, "Good morning Mr. Henshaw, my name is Grace. Would you enjoy sitting with me, out in the garden for a little bit?"

The doctor smiled at Grace; he enjoys her company and wished she'd stay on at St. Luke's.

"Hello...Grace...I...would...like...that."

Henshaw tried to smile, but his facial muscles didn't seem to work right, probably the drugs, so he looked angry and not pleased like he felt.

Two male orderlys helped the man in to a wooden wheel chair that had a tall cane support and large wheels at the back. Placing a wool blanket over his knees, Grace wheels him down the long white hall towards the french doors leading outside.

Giving instructions to one of the orderlys, Dr. Jeykell continues with his rounds.

Burt follows after Grace to make sure Mr. Henshaw doesn't hurt her or anyone else. He too likes Grace, but she hardly engages with any of the staff, only the patients get her full attention.

For nearly half an hour all is well in the colorful garden for the trio, but when Burt decides to get closer and engage Grace in conversation, Mr. Henshaw starts to get agitated.

"I was wonder'n Miss Grace, if you would like to..."

Burt didn't get to finish as Henshaw suddenly jumped up, attempting to lunge towards Burt. Grace sensed the issue and was prepared; having stepped between the two men, she focused on Henshaw; her eyes changing color as she spoke.

"Be easy, no one is threatening you." Her hands out and open, standing her ground, "Don't interfere, orderly."

Shocked, Burt stopped a moment, behind her; unsure if he should ignore her demand.

Henshaw wild-eyed and drooling, was clenching his fists; gibberish was all he could manage.

"Back away orderly, now." Her voice commanding as he stepped closer to the menacing patient.

Burt, afraid he'd get fired, stepped around Grace, attempting to subdue the out-of-control patient.

Instinct kicking in, Henshaw clawed at the large man, nails going for the soft facial tissue. Burt yelped as his cheek bled and he wrestled the smaller man to the ground in a choke hold.

Grace was furious, but it was too late to stop the violence. Two more orderlys came from inside the institution, followed by Dr. Jeykell.

Henshaw subdued and sedated, he's pushed back to his room and a straight jacket applied. Burt and Grace stand in the doctor's office waiting for their opportunity to speak.

Norman saunters in and sits in one of the tufted guest chairs, he's bored, antsy to get into the secret lab he has yet to discover.

"What exactly happened to set off Mr. Henshaw nurse."

Without any sympathy for the injured orderly, Grace flatly explained. "Everything was fine until this orderly decided to chat me up. Mr. Henshaw felt threatened and got up. All would have been fine, if my instructions had been complied with."

Burt disagreed and didn't wait to be called on. "She had no business gett'n between us, it just made the patient attack me." He exclaimed.

Dr. Jeykell was annoyed by his employee's impertinence and showed his displeasure.

"My instructions were clear and the nurse was in charge, next time you fail to do as told...I will not tolerate disobedience." With a wave of his hand he dismissed them.

Grace followed Burt out and went the other direction, to avoid any further conflict.

With hands folded in front of his mouth, Norman smirks; he was sorry he missed the scuffle in the garden.

"Seems our Grace has stirred up that young man... he'd better watch out, she's not your ordinary female."

With eyes narrowed, Dr. Jeykell looks at the amused man sitting across from him.

"You strike me as not being the typical, ordinary man... Dr. Namron. You may be of interest after all."


 

Wash and Brush Up

Mr. Croup had prepared tea and a full English breakfast of bacon, sausage, poached eggs, grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, and toast for his guests.

Warren was exactly on time; 7 a.m., on the dot, smartly dressed in one of the two suits he had packed. The maid, which was Croup's niece, Adaline, had brought up some hot basin water at 6:30. Warren was happy to shave, feeling like a respectable man again.

Jack was still asleep, he'd been up most of the night looking at maps. His eating habits were odd anyway.

"Will your companion be joining you?" Mr. Croup looked unconcerned, just curious about the strange stranger.

"I have my doubts. He's a man that follows a calling most can't hear." Warren sipped his tea, smiling.

Adaline served the breakfast,she did all the odd jobs, lingering for a moment as she gazed at the dashing young man.

"Would you be need'n any'ting else... sir?" She said with sugar in her voice.

Jack suddenly appeared behind her, giving her a start, when his deep voice rumbles the cozy space.

"Oh, he does, but you see before you a gentleman." Jack smirks at his friend, sitting down across from Warren grabbing a piece of toast.

The small fire crackles and sizzles as the girl's eyes go wide. She'd never heard such talk from gentlemen; that kind of frank talk was expected at the docks or certain parts of London and with a different class of men.

Jack was so different from Warren; dark hair, pale skin, and a few errant freckles. He hadn't made an effort in his dress; in fact, he looked as though he'd crawled out of bed and walked downstairs.

"Sir." She pursed those plump lips and left the room to get his plate.

"Honestly, my dear Jack, you do make an entrance to unsettle the orderly world." Warren spread jelly on the last piece of toast.

Scoffing as he poured a cuppa, Jack raised a brow at his logical friend.

"The world is hardly 'orderly'. Chaos reigns and I need to whip it."

Adaline walked in and her eyes went wide again as she caught the end of Jack's comment.

"Do you gents require... would you care for..." She stammered and both men looked at her, causing her cherub cheeks to flush.

"More toast and tea, please Adaline." Warren said warmly; he'd heard her Uncle call her by name.

She dashed back to the small kitchen, her heart in a flutter.

Mr.Croup looked at his niece. "What's go you in a tizzy?"

Wiping her hands, Adaline prepares toast and tea. "Not'ting Uncle." Straightening her dress, she watched the toast as it turned golden over the open fire. Trying to seem uninterested, she avoided looking at her Uncle as she stacked the toast in a small white cotton towel, keeping them warm.

"How... how long them two stay'n?"

The kettle whistled.

"Ah, said a fort-night, maybe longer. Why?" Croup was drying glasses and smiled at the young girl.

Grabbing the tray, exiting the small, tidy kitchen she nonchalantly
replied, "Oh... just wanted to know, so as I can do it up proper for 'em."

Shaking his head, Croup followed with a large crate of clean bar glasses. "Mind your manners girl."

Jack and Warren were deep in conversation when the young, eager to please, woman set down the refresh of tea and toast, in fact, they ignored her; making her depart with an upturned nose.

"What is our agenda?" Warren knew Jack always had some kind of plan brewing. "You must have slept for 5-minutes, at least you look it." He was concerned about Jack's habits.

"I didn't let you come along, so you could lecture me." Jack's tone was a bit terse.

"Someone needs to be watchful, you seem oblivious."

Leaning back, Jack rubs his chin, he hadn't shaved yet. Amused by the concern, he humors the fair-haired man seated across from him.

"Mark my words, you'll see why I am 'oblivious'... everyday challenges will become inconsequential."

Warren smiled wide, "We'll see, we'll...see."