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."