Mission reconnoiter workplace [complete]

He looked at the offer of employment letter in his hands, again, and couldn't help getting the feeling, again, that this was all a bit too easy. Francis had sent in his resume to several hospitals, and out of the four (from fourteen he sent) that replied, this…Axis Memorial Hospital was the only one that gave him an offer, outright.

Maybe they're just impressed with my past experience in the area, he thought, though that's practically nonexistent; he was secretly glad that someone (whoever that sent him the letter and didn't sign off with an actual name that is) had thought otherwise. This had, however, piqued his interest in this place and he had thus decided to go see for himself what his new site of employment would be like. After all, the letter had said "We do hope you can start as soon as possible".

The building was actually pretty impressive - Francis particularly liked the panels of reflective glass leading up to the main entrance, for obvious reasons. Once inside, however, he was instantly swarmed by the hectic atmosphere. It does seem to be a proper hospital, in that aspect, he mused.

The receptionist was a particularly sour-looking young chap, who was trying desperately to explain something, in spanish, over the phone. Spanish was obviously not his strong suit, even the Frenchman could tell. If only it was a pretty girl in his place, Francis would have gladly offered his service (not in interpreting Spanish of course, but to offer himself as an attractive distraction). He made a mental note to let the management (if he ever encounters any) know that a personnel change is in order.

Deciding to abandon the non-damsel in distress, Francis waltzed in to his new workplace. Most of the areas are open access, and so Francis had a good look around, though he didn't manage to locate the administrative block of the hospital, which would have housed the people doing paperwork, like his very vague offer letter (which conveniently forgot to mention his salary - which is a rather relevant issue for him at the moment).

Resigned, he made his way back to the lobby, just in time to realize a small little gift shop just off the corner. Well, it was actually the girl in the gift shop that caught his eye, and she seemed to be manning the store - possibly a much better conversation partner than the receptionist, Francis thought.

Preoccupation with pretty girls, however, has never done him any good in the past, and this was no exception - he literally walked into someone right outside the little shop.

That someone happened to be Roderich, who had been heading into the store in pursuit of one of his guilty pleasures--chocolate. He knew full well that it wasn't good for him (that study indicating it helped lower blood pressure meant little beside the excessive caloric content of the stuff) but there were some days where he really felt that he needed to sit in his office and munch on it for a while. After a morning of running back and forth between floors to take samples from a tularemia patient, a listeriosis patient and a recently-back-from-Africa yellow fever patient that as of late had been placed in isolation due to his immune system being pretty much devastated, Roderich had decided this was one of those days.

The impact of someone walking into him was enough to nearly knock him off balance. Flailing his arms in a way that surely looked comical to anyone watching, he staggered and hastily sought to steady himself. The sight of the blonde-haired man (who looked mildly puzzled, if anything, much to Roderich's chagrin), an individual he didn't recognize, drew an angry glare from him. Honestly, what was with people these days...

"Watch where you're going!" Roderich huffed, crossly prodding his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.


(Fun fact: one of tularemia's alternate names in my communicable diseases manual is 'Francis disease', lol. XD)

By the time Francis realised it was a person he had bumped into (and a particularly fine-looking one to be exact), he had completely forgotten about what he was going to do - which, to be fair, was a sensation he rarely felt. It wasn't just the outward appearance - no, that wouldn't have been enough to stop him in his tracks (literally) - it was the air around the man standing in front of him that was...different. "...aristocrate huh..?" Francis mumbled slightly to himself.

The man had said something angrily towards him, but he was hardly paying any attention to that - it was probably along the lines of being pissed when you get bumped into anyway - he was a much better specimen to look at really. Francis had then noticed the staff pass clipped on his right pocket - a doctor maybe?

He put on his best apologetic look, " I'm terribly sorry, I was obviously distracted for a moment there." He smiled, "Would you by any chance know where one should report to on their first day of work? Or better still, who produces the employment offer letters around here?"

Roderich's initial indignation gave way to a general sense of frustration as soon as the words 'first day of work' left Francis' mouth. Why was it that he always seemed to run into these people (albeit, not usually in the literal sense?) He had terrible luck with ending up being the one to show new staff around, show interns how to do simple tests, and generally fill the role of 'doctor who apparently has enough free time to answer everyone's stupid questions.' Gosh darn it, he was a specialist. This wasn't his problem.

...But all the same, the decency in him demanded that he answer. "Secretary in the employment office. Head straight down that hall, make a right after you pass the wall of plaques, and keep going until the third hall on the right. There'll be a sign."

He gestured accordingly to a corridor some distance from them, watching Francis' face to see whether he'd aborbed any of that explanation. By the looks of it, the answer was no. He was also looking at him in a way that was making Roderich increasingly suspicious and uncomfortable...

The odd thing is, Francis had distinctively remembered being down that way before, and had clearly failed to find the employment office. Guess there isn't much point in repeating the exercise. Monsieur Aristocrate is looking openly annoyed at the moment (how he does that with a dignified air is a real mystery though), "Doctors are stressed out people no matter where they are huh?", Francis thought. From his functional and yet elegant dress-sense and the way he carried himself, was clear that he is the no-nonsense kind of person. Not a type Francis couldn't handle, but a different approach seemed necessary .

"Thank you for the information. I'm Francis, and since I'm starting as a nurse as of today, I'd very much like to put myself to some use. Dr...Edelstein," The words on the staff pass had been a bit small, but nonetheless decipherable. He smiled pleasantly, "if there is anything you wouldn't mind entrusting a..bizut* like me to do, please do let me know."

((*=newbie))

"You likely have been already given an assignment, Francis," Roderich huffed, not trusting that smile. Inwardly, he found himself grateful that his nametag didn't list his first name. Francis, after all, seemed like the sort of person to cheerfully disregard formalities of the workplace--someone a little too pleasant, a little too casual--and Roderich didn't want to be on first-name basis with the likes of him.

The bit about an assignment wasn't necessarily true, either, at least for the moment. But it'd probably be best if Roderich could get him off his back quickly...

"Now, if you'll excuse me..." He said, abruptly turning aside towards the gift shop. He headed for the doorway, then hesitated--actually, why was he passing up this opportunity? He could use a nurse for a few of of the samples he had to take today, considering that the other nurses that knew his set of patients well enough tended to disappear when he wanted someone to help with the particularly nasty ones...

"Francis," he said, turning around, "If you would like to help me, I do think there are some things I would appreciate you doing, that should not take much time."

Just as Francis thought smugly he had achieved the desired outcome, the doctor turned around. And actually asked him if he could help in something. This hospital must be really understaffed, Francis thought. To think that a serious man like Docteur Edelstein would actually trust a man who claims to a staff without any proof of employment to get on with a proper job to do.. It's going to be tough working here huh?

On a side note, the good doctor seemed to have been heading towards the gift shop - is there anything he is planning to get? - It piqued Francis' interest a little. He made a mental note to have a talk with the pretty shopkeeper..later. Afterall, digging up things about people is not only his hobby but also his specialty.

He smiled politely and answered, "Yes, of course. What would you like me to help with?"

Well, he'd look up Francis' records as soon as he got back upstairs. Of course he'd watch the man like a hawk while he was doing any procedure--Roderich was not one to let a nurse he didn't know well do anything out of his sight. Perhaps Francis would prove himself, if only as someone willing enough to deal with particularly disgusting fluids.

He strode back from the gift shop. He didn't want someone working beneath him to know that he'd come down for junk food, after all. He had an image to maintain.

"Just taking samples for testing," he said, tactfully choosing not to get more descriptive than that. "It would save me some trouble. I have a lot of patients right now."

Never trust doctors when they tell you it's just something - Francis knows that even without having done much proper work before, because, that was usually the cue to make an (hopefully, elegant) excuse and run away as fast as possible. But too bad this time he was the one who actually started it, too late to go back on his words now.

He winced inwardly before answering, "Yes, of course I'd love to be of any help. Should I get the patients info from you later?"

Francis, did however, catch something rather highly interesting. Dr Edelstein seemed to have made a (in his opinion, rather awkward) turn back from way to the gift shop. Now Francis definitely have to have a nice talk with the mademoiselle at the gift shop.

"You can follow me back now if you'd like," said Roderich. "I was about to return to work anyway."

Post-chocolate, of course, but plans had changed. He'd probably slip down around lunch to grab some, when Francis was off doing...whatever Francis was prone to doing at that time. Probably flirting with the interns, Roderich thought. Francis seemed the type.

Francis also probably had an inkling of what he'd left out of his nondescriptive request, but heck, if the nurse was willing to go along with it... Roderich gave a small smile that he hoped was disarming to whatever qualms Francis had. The nurse could prove useful in the future, provided he wasn't scared off by the nature of Roderich's patients this time around.

He gave a small laugh, "Well, from your brief description of the job, I think I'd probably need a change of clothes.. first," he smiled, "Would it be alright if I meet you back at your office in half an hours time?"

"And if you don't mind, I'd also like to get something from the gift shop first." It amused Francis that the doctor had intentionally wanted to divert his attention from the shop and hide the fact that he was heading there in the first place (which was, obvious. really.). What's with that hasty and rather embarrassed "I was about to return to work anyway."? - it just made Francis even more curious about what he's trying hide.

"Then..If you'd excuse me," he inclined his head slightly and started to walk towards the shop.

"You would. Locker rooms are on the second floor and my office is on the fifth," he informed him. "Very well, then. I'll see you soon."

He turned primly and headed for the elevators, wondering just what Francis had been going off to the gift shop for. Hopefully his insistence didn't have anything to do with the fact that Roderich had been heading there, though Roderich suspected it might. (Of course Francis had picked up on something, as Roderich really wasn't the best at concealing intentions, as much as he tried.) Well, there were worse things for Francis to find out about him, he supposed...

The nurse outfit is green, he stood in front of the mirror in the changing room and paused to have a look. Not a particularly nice shade of green, to add to the effect. Well, it was either this or get his own clothes dirty, and the latter was decidedly not an option. On the plus side, he didn't look too bad, it was…decent - at least more decent than anyone else he has seen wearing the same thing. Looking good, after all was his vice.

He clipped his temporary staff pass onto his pocket and kept his own clothes inside the locker. He considered whether to bring along the box of gift-wrapped (Cheryl had insisted - Francis gets the feeling that the only reason she's still working at the shop is because she absolutely adores doing gift-wrapping) chocolates along. On one hand, he would very much love to see the flustered expression on Docteur Edelstein's face when he receives it, though that way, there's a 120% chance that he won't accept it. The way to get around it is to drop the chocolates at a convenient location (probably somewhere in his office) when he is not around, though that means the chance of seeing his response is probably lost. It's a difficult decision. Francis frowned a little, it would all be very nicely resolved if the chocolate came with a video camera that live-feeds to his blackberry. C'est dommage…

Francis made his way up to the fifth level, and located with ease the door that said Dr. R. Edelstein. Finding out what his first name is shouldn't prove to be too difficult - he just wasn't that interested in it at this moment. He knocked on the door and as he was given the sign to go in, slipped a brown paper bag onto the door knob.

Roderich was seated at his desk, only half-paying attention to Francis as he finished typing an email. It'd taken him some time to finish doing records, then to get through the numerous messages that made up his daily dose of administrivia. It wasn't fair, he thought, that he had to sift through numerous procedural notices and yet rarely got replies to any of his messages proposing a revitalization of the hospital's handwashing campaign or reminders to the janitorial department to remember to clean the showerheads and faucets (with numerous attached studies detailing legionella outbreaks and other such pathogens that liked lurking in those areas, of course.) Far too often, he had to personally show up in people's offices to get them to listen to what he had to say. It was astonishing that anything was accomplished around here...

"Hold on," he muttered, putting down the last few sentences, skimming the message over and sending it. He shut his laptop and stood, retrieving his labcoat from a coat stand nearby and putting it on over his dark blue scrubs.

"Thanks for coming," he said to be polite, and, grabbing a folder from his desk, opened it. "...Have you ever done a fecal transplant for clostridium difficile? Probably not, I imagine?"

He sounded slightly cocky when he said that, much to Francis' surprise. It's obvious he really loves his job…a little too much maybe, Francis thought. And of course, Francis only have the vaguest idea of what that particular procedure involves. It was probably in one of the books or notes he was supposed to have studies for his degree. Oh well, he's had better things to do during his college days than learning about fecal transplants.

From the sound of it though, it probably involved using some equipment of sorts to stick it up people's arse - succinctly put, that is. Francis would like to see how the doctor can explain it in a less-succinct manner. Plus, admitting that he didn't know anything about it would probably fuel the doctor's ego a little more - it might be amusing.

"You're right, I've never carried out such a procedure before. Would you mind elaborating?"

"It involves taking feces from a healthy donor, mixing it with a saline solution and introducing it into the patient's colon via enema. Well, some perform it via nasogastric tube, but I prefer going by enema. The idea is that c. difficile takes advantage of a reduction in the patient's colonic bacterial flora, and that the transplant reintroduces some of this flora and allows for recolonization." He calmly skimmed the contents of the folder. "I've done four of these transplants to date after patients failed to respond to antibiotics, each resulting in a favorable prognosis. The gastroenterology department was pretty wary of it at first, but the research and success rates supporting it only continue to build, so..."

He handed the folder over to Francis. "Head down to the lab--they should have the fecal solution prepared. The room number for that and for the patient's room are both in here. I'm going to go ahead and make sure he's gotten his last dose of omeprazole before we start."

With that, he went for the door, opening it. As something smacked against it, his gaze flew down at the handle and he retrieved the bag, eyeing it curiously.

"What is this?" he muttered to no one in particular.

Francis nearly dozed off in the middle of the doctor's explanation. It was rather like going back to school all over again, except for the fact that he didn't even attend that many classes to begin with. What happened after that was rather amusing, since he hadn't really expected it. But it probably turned out for the best, now that he can see the reaction on the doctor's face first hand. The problem lies in the explaining bit.

He looked at the doctor holding up the bag, "Well, it would seem that you've got a present from someone. Hmm, it wasn't there when I knocked on your door…" Technically true, since he put it there after he knocked on the door.

"Maybe there is a note attached?" He asked rather excitedly, knowing fully well that there was, but only a small card with the words "Dr. Edelstein" written on it.

Roderich's eyes darted in brief accusation towards Francis. The man looked innocent, though, and Roderich couldn't think of any reason why he'd get him a present. Unless, of course, it was some kind of prank. With that possibility in mind, he figured he probably ought to open it now so that he could properly berate the nurse if need be.

He eyed the card, mouth an impassive line as he failed to recognize the handwriting. "Didn't leave their name. Hold on just a moment."

He strode back to his desk, setting the bag there and pulling out the gift-wrapped package. A blush stole across his face as he ripped off a bit of wrapping and realized what it was. Oh, that...that was a bit too nice to be a prank. Perhaps it was from Braelyn? She could be rather shy, so perhaps she hadn't wanted to take credit...

"Oh," he said, trying not to sound awkward. "Well. Not the most healthy gift ever, but very kind of whoever bothered..."

Francis smiled, the slight blush and awkwardness on the doctor's part had been well worth the effort. Especially since by the thoughtful look on Dr Edelstein's face, he seem to be actually considering possible candidates - which probably means that his romantic life isn't a dry well. Very well, more probing is required then.

He has to admit though, a little cheating (not by choice) was involved in getting that inference - it is a box of exquisitely decorated heart-shaped chocolates, which comes in dark, milk and white with different assortment of things added to it, complete with a pink ribbon. This was the only kind of gift chocolate in the shop, besides chocolate slabs and bars (which Francis obviously thought was too mundane to be given as a present). This was also part of the reason why Francis had decided not to give it directly and therefore also conveniently left out writing his name.

Not being very truthful, Doctor. His attempts at implying he didn't appreciate chocolates at all would probably be more effective if Francis hadn't already known - now it plainly sounds like he is trying to cover up his embarrassment, which is actually rather cute.

"Whoa, that's looks pretty nice. Maybe you do have a secret admirer! Or maybe from your girlfriend as a surprise?" he laughed slightly, "Well, girls these days can be pretty good with spicing up a relationship, no?"

Roderich gave a sound intended to be a dismissive snort but that ended up more of a choking noise. Oh, those were not thoughts he wanted in a nurse's head. The last thing he needed were rumors about his romantic life going around, especially with the teasing that would doubtless result (he could hear the remarks now: 'do you sanitize her lips before you kiss her?' 'did you compare vaccination histories on the first date?') It wasn't as though he was regarded as a particularly nice or friendly person by most of the nursing staff, after all. He doubted they would let such an opportunity go to waste.

"I don't have a girlfriend," he informed Francis. It was a partial truth--he and Braelyn hadn't been involved nearly long enough to reach that status. "It's probably just a thank-you gift or something and they neglected to leave a card."

Never mind the shape of the chocolates--'thank-you gift' was the explanation he liked and he would stick to it.

"Hmm," Francis smiled, Dr Edelstein is definitely shy about something. He adjusted his seat and rested his hands on back of the chair. A wonderful opportunity to stir things up a little.

"Well, doctor, I'll let you in on a secret - girls are normally more subtle about things and they'd prefer you to take initiative, but they also like it when they get the credit for it…if you know what I mean." He continued, "To put it plainly, an anonymous gift would be a prompt for action…" Trailing off, he looked at the doctor and leaned forward, resting his head on the chair back.

"But of course, if you insist there isn't anyone you like, it's probably just a 'thank-you' gift, as you say. It must be really nice to be a doctor - do you get presents often?"

"Not often," he said, willfully disregarding the romantic advice. "But yes, it must be one. I can't see why someone would bother otherwise."

Mentally, he concluded that it had to have been Brae. But if she had been awkward about leaving her name, then wouldn't it make her awkward for him to bring up the subject? Perhaps he'd slip her a knowing smile or something and gauge her reaction to see if it'd be fine to talk about. That was the most 'initiative' that he would dare to muster.

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, meet me in the patient's room with the fecal solution."

That said, he stowed the box of chocolates beneath some paperwork--as though concealing it from his eyes would help push the matter from his mind--and left the room.

It seems like the doctor decided to drop the matter, a little disappointing, but it'll have to do for now. Francis took the folder on the table and tried to recall what he had heard while nodding off.

"So I'll just need to go to the lab to grab the stuff and meet you after right? See you in a bit then," he replied nonchalantly, despite actually having no idea where he was suppose to go or what exactly it was he needed to take - but he's sure someone (preferably a pretty someone) along the way will be able to point him in the right direction.

Not long afterwards, Roderich had taken up standing at the bedside of the patient, arms crossed as he watched the anesthetists adjust tubes and valves. As usual, he had to endure the MAFAT (mandatory anesthesia f**k-around time) for something as relatively simple as this--how difficult was it to get a patient sedated for something akin to a colonoscopy? He didn't have much right to complain, though, as his side of things--Francis--hadn't returned yet with the sample.

Roderich hoped he hadn't gotten lost. The hospital could be a veritable maze for those not used to its layout, and moreover, he was fairly certain he'd seen what he not-so-affectionately referred to as the 'intern glaze' drift over Francis' eyes while he'd been instructing him. Well, if his brain had turned off halfway through the explanation, hopefully he had enough sense to check the folder for room numbers. Roderich always made a point of including them in files--partly for his own benefit because he was continuously being called from one end of the hospital to another, and partly because he knew just how well information could go in one ear and out the other when he asked anyone to run errands for him.

He glanced at his watch for the third time, then sighed and removed it. As he spread sanitizer over his hands and donned a pair of gloves, he kept glancing towards the door, hoping he wasn't going to have to send someone after Francis. A minute more and he'd have to consider it. How he hated delays...

Francis enjoys being distracted - especially by beautiful women - one of whom happens to work in the hospital lab. They had just settled in to a pretty comfortable conversation when he was asked which doctor he was getting the sample for - and upon hearing Dr Edelstein's name, she gave a little chuckle and looked rather sympathetic, while telling him he had better hurry along if he still wanted his (new) job.

He didn't leave without getting her number first of course.

A good thing he had flipped open the file Dr Edelstein handed him, because the doctor had written down the building and room number of the patient - what a meticulous man. A second good thing, though he may not look like it, Francis is actually very good with directions, and found the room rather quickly once he was out of the lab. (Though he often succeeds in using being lost as an excuse for tardiness - which he is considering doing now.) No harm looking a little dumb if appearing so grants you less work and more play (flirting time!) - as long as you don't get fired from your job.

He reached the door and looked in - the lab lady was right…Dr Edelstein was looking really irritated (by his standard) and was putting on a pair of gloves with much vengeance. It's probably best to play dumb this time - he donned a sheepish look and walked in.