Vance - 1.2
The morning sun peeked between the gaps of my curtains, casting a warm glow on my face that felt soothing after the recent ordeal. My arms, still encased in bandages, no longer throbbed with pain but rather itched mildly as they healed. My chest didn't ache when I took deep breaths anymore, and the stinging sensation in my legs had subsided. Feeling a bit more in control, I pressed the call button to summon the nurse.
"Could I have some water, please? My mouth is quite dry," I asked when she appeared.
"Sure thing, just a second," she replied with a smile, her voice carrying the comforting routine of hospital care.
She briefly exited the room, returning promptly with a small plastic cup filled with water, which she handed to me with care.
Sipping the water slowly, I asked her, "How long was I asleep for?"
"About three hours after the doctor checked on you," the nurse answered, checking her watch.
"I feel much better now, could you please bring the phone over?" I requested, feeling ready to handle some pending matters.
"You bet," she responded, placing the phone on the bedside table before exiting the room.
I dialed Mister Pembrose's number but was directed to voicemail.
"Mister Pembrose, Vance calling. I wanted to inform you in advance that I might not be able to come in on Monday. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I cannot promise when I'll be available. I apologize profusely for the lack of punctuality before I have even officially started. Please know that this does not reflect my work ethic, and I am committed to joining the company as soon as possible. Have a good day, sir."
After hanging up, I sighed deeply, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. An amazing opportunity for my future had been overshadowed by one disastrous afternoon.
I turned the television back on, letting my mind drift away as a rerun of "Heliox II" aired. As the movie ended and the evening news began, a gentleman in a suit knocked on my hospital room doorway.
"Richard Vance?" he inquired, looking around the room briefly.
"That's me," I confirmed.
"I am with the Municipal Catastrophe Relief, and I would like to speak with you regarding the incident on Wednesday afternoon at Platform 6," the gentleman stated, his demeanor professional yet empathetic.
"Please, have a seat," I gestured toward the visitor's chair beside my bed.
"Very well," he said as he reclined in the chair, pulling out a stack of documents from his briefcase. "In addition to covering medical costs, Private Eye's policy is set to compensate one hundred thousand dollars to anyone severely injured, plus reimbursement for missed wages. I just need you to note your employer, the length of your absence, and provide a signature on these documents."
"Yes sir, does that include any disclosure agreements?" I asked, wanting to ensure all legal aspects were covered.
"Unfortunately, as Private Eye is no longer with us, those are not necessary. The only requirement is an acknowledgement that the estate of Private Eye is not liable for the accident," he explained.
"Could my employer handle these forms? I need some rest," I said, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
The nurse, a friendly blonde who had helped me earlier, walked back in at my request.
"Yes, Richard?" she asked with a gentle tone.
"Could you give this gentleman the business card out of my wallet, please?" I requested, pointing to where my belongings were stored.
She opened a cabinet in the corner, retrieved my bifold wallet, and pulled out the black business card.
"This one?" she asked, holding up Mister Pembrose's card.
"Yes, thank you, miss. Could I also have another water?" I asked, appreciating her assistance.
"Pembrose & Lafayette? You work for that firm?" the agent asked, his expression showing a mix of surprise and recognition.
"Yes sir, they also act as my legal counsel. Please send them those papers. As you can see, I am not in much of a state to fill out important documents," I said, nodding toward my bandaged body.
With a sigh and a slight grimace, the man packed the documents back into his briefcase and slid the card into a small pocket on the interior of the case. He rose, turned, and left the room quietly.
"Any trouble?" the nurse inquired as she came back with my drink.
"No," I answered, and she turned to leave.
"Could you actually send for Doctor Walters?" I called out after her.
She spun around and nodded, then left again to fetch the doctor.
Several minutes later, Doctor Walters arrived.
"Doctor, my arms feel itchy. Is that normal?" I asked, concerned about the new sensation.
"Itchiness is expected for patients recovering from burn wounds; however, you are on the most morphine I am comfortable with administering in your IV. When the nurses remove the gauze tonight, I will have them apply some lidocaine cream along with the other ointments. Just a warning, it might be quite uncomfortable. Try to get some sleep before then," he explained, his tone reassuring yet straightforward.
"Okay, but could you send the nurse back? I am rather famished," I replied, realizing I hadn't eaten in hours.
"Sure thing," Doctor Walters said before leaving.
Eventually, I managed to scarf down a cafeteria-grade hamburger steak accompanied by a cup of pudding. Then, I zoned out to a cop show I did not recognize on the TV. When I refocused, a team of nurses had wheeled in a cart of supplies and shut the door behind them.
"M'kay hun, we're gonna remove your wraps, slather on some medicines, then rewrap you. It'll take about an hour, and it can be quite painful. We'll be as gentle as possible. Just power through it," the oldest nurse explained, her voice laced with empathy.
They began to remove the bandages, and the pink, healing skin underneath was revealed. Surprisingly, I barely felt a thing. Honestly, my arms looked way better than I had anticipated—more akin to a long day at the beach than severe burns. The oldest nurse raised an eyebrow in surprise at the condition of my arms.
"I don't know why they had you all wrapped up like that for just some mild scalding. Let me go get one of the overnight residents. Please endure for a few more minutes," she said, leaving the room momentarily.
Left in the care of her team, I seized the moment to ask, "So... would anyone be able to bring me some water?"