"We hope to see you again soon!" Nurse Joy called at the retreating boy's back.
Once the doors closed behind him, she pulled up a page on the computer under the edge of the counter. On the screen was bold lettering that declared the time, the Pokecenter branch number, and location. Underneath was an empty bar save for a flashing cursor. She carefully entered the pokedex number the boy had given her when she'd healed his pokemon. A snoring slowbro showed as the loading icon, before the page reloaded.
Trainer ID:05972
Smith, Joseph
Age:15
Home Address: #1432 Nidoran Road, Vermillion City, Johto
Last check in: 14:52 Pokecenter 2213 Fuschia City Branch
Telephone: *********** Call?
She pressed the green call button and held the phone up to her ear.14 It rang twice before picking up.
An elderly man answered the phone, "Smith residence, how can I help you?"
"Mr Smith? This is Nurse Apolina Joy of the Fuschia City Pokecenter. I was just calling to inform you that Joseph Smith, Trainer ID 05972 just checked in a few minutes ago."
"Joey? My Joey was there?" The voice on the other end of the line seemed on the verge of tears, "Was he okay?"
Nurse Joy nodded, despite knowing that he couldn't see. "Yes Mr. Smith. Our basic scan showed no signs of injury or illness in Joey. He seemed in perfectly good health."
"Oh thank god." The man breathed across the line. "Thank god, and thank you. Without you, I'd never even know if he'd..."
Apolina stayed silent, letting the man collect himself. This was always simultaneously the best and worst part of her job. She always felt uncomfortable with the gratitude from parents and relatives of trainers she talked to. Maybe if she could make them actually talk, or even send them home once in a while, she would deserve to be thanked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to take up your time like that." His voice still seemed shaky.
Nurse Joy smiled sadly, "It's no problem, Mr. Smith."
"Did he... Did he say where he was headed?"
She swallowed, "I'm afraid not, Mr. Smith, but the Nurse at the next pokecenter he checks in at will be able to give you an update, and I'll phone you right away if he comes back here. I'm sorry I can't tell you more."
"No no, you've done more than enough. I just hoped.. Thank you anyway Nurse Joy. You're sure they'll call me?"
"I'm sure, Mr Smith."
"Thank you." There was a click and then the dial tone began to play.
Nurse Joy placed the phone back on the reciever with a sigh and cleared the screen of Joseph Smith's information. The automatic doors slid open with a hiss.
"Welcome to our Pokecenter!"