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Dr. Collins just manages to keep from slamming the door behind her, as she steps out of the patient’s room. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, then breathes out. Then she goes to find Dr. Robby.
“Robby!” She calls, seeing him up ahead. He pauses and turns around.
“Dr. Collins, what can I do for you?” He asked, giving her a quick once over. She wasn’t rattled often, but he could tell when she was.
“There’s a patient in North Six. Harassed Javadi until she cried, harassed Whittaker until he almost cried, and harassed me until I almost made him cry.” She said, trying to keep her irritation under control.
Robby’s eyes went concerned, looking around the ER. “Where are—?”
“I sent Javadi and Whittaker to take a five minute break, grab some water, and pull themselves together. This guy is a piece of work.”
“Okay, what’s going on with him?” He asks, starting to follow her back the way she had come from.
“He came in for belly pain, but won’t let anyone near him he thinks isn’t ‘appropriate’.” She can feel her lip curl in anger. Robby’s eyebrows went up.
“Meaning…?”
“Called Javadi a terrorist, called Whittaker a queer, and called me a few names, none of which I care to repeat.” She said.
Robby whistled. “Damn. I’m sorry that happened.” He said, placing a hand on her arm.
“I’m hoping maybe because you’re a white male he’ll tolerate you.”
“Didn’t tolerate Whittaker.” He said.
“Well, that’s why they pay you the big bucks, boss.” She gave him a grin. “Seriously though, be careful, guy is a real asshole and I have a feeling it won’t take much to get him violent.”
“Thanks, Dr. Collins. Can you alert Ahmad and make sure he keeps his eyes on us? I’ll go in and see if I can placate him enough to let us at least figure out what’s wrong. Then, let Javadi and Whittaker know I’ll want a minute with each of them, to check in and debrief.” Collins nodded her thanks and headed to Ahmad. He checked the chart, notated the name and shook himself out.
Robby stretched, placing his hands behind his neck and took a deep breath. Then he knocked on the door and headed into the room. “Hello, Mr. Kingston, I’m Dr. Robby, I hear you’re having some belly pain.”
The man on the bed looked perfectly ordinary, if pissed off. “Well, at least they finally sent a man.” He muttered. Robby didn’t even touch it, he wasn’t going to change this guy’s mindset, no point in even trying.
“Can you tell me about the pain? Is it sharp, stabbing, dull, burning? Where is it located and when did it start?” He placed his stethoscope in his ears and leaned over to listen to his heart.
As he did, his Magen David slipped from his scrubs and dangled. The guy pulled back as if he’d been electrocuted. “Are you a fucking Jew?”
“And a fucking queer.” Robby responded, not rising to the bait.
“I thought we killed most of you in the last war.” He goaded. “Aren’t there any normal doctors in this hospital?”
“I am the Chief of Emergency Medicine in this hospital, Mr. Kingston. All of the doctors and nurses here are excellent at what they do, regardless of their belief, color of skin, or who they have sex with. You are here for belly pain, do you wish to be seen or would you like to leave?” He asked, using his best no-nonsense voice.
Even Robby blanched at the words that came out of the man’s mouth next. Just as he was about to tell the guy to get the fuck out of his hospital, the door opened and Jack Abbot walked in. Tall, confident, military boots on and dog tags hanging out, framing his gold cross.
“Mr. Kingston. My name is Dr. Jack Abbot, how can I help you today?” He asked, ignoring Robby.
Mr. Kingston looked Abbot up and down. White, Christian, ex-military and nodded approvingly. “I’m having belly pain, right side and it's sharp. Hurts like hell, even after Tylenol.”
Abbot continued to ignore Robby’s look of disbelief as he moved forward to check the patient. He glanced at the chart and at the monitors. “No fever, that’s good. Blood pressure is a little high, but that’s not unexpected.” He palpated his abdomen, pausing when he got to a spot that caused him to let out a sound of pain. “I don’t think it's your appendix, but possibly gallstones. I’m going to use an ultrasound to check.”
Abbot didn’t even acknowledge Robby as he got the machine, set it up, and checked. “Yes, right here, gallstones. Do you concur, Dr. Robinavitch?”
Robby startled to be addressed, glanced at the ultrasound and ignored the sour look on the man’s face. “I concur.”
“Good. Treatment for gallstones is surgery.” He said, updating the chart. “You are welcome to seek treatment at another facility, you are no longer welcome at PTMC.”
The man spluttered, shocked by the abrupt turn of events. “Wait, what? I need surgery! You just said so.”
“You also insulted two of my med students, one of our best residents, and…” He paused, turning, grabbing Robby by the lapel and dragging him in for a kiss. “My husband.” Robby was dark red, but staring at Jack in shock. “You can get the fuck out of our hospital. I’m not asking, I’m telling. You have five minutes before our security throws you out.”
With that he turned on his heel and walked out with the man screaming obscenities behind them. They got out of the room and Robby just stared at Jack for a moment. “That was hot.” Was the only thing he could manage.
Jack burst into laughter and reached for his hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “Collins told me what was going on. I know you don’t NEED backup, but I wasn’t going to listen to that garbage. Go find Javadi and Whittaker and debrief. We’ll do handover when you’re done.”