The Quiet Ones

by Dickensian812

Pre-Pilot. Harold's physical therapist talks with a colleague. Usual disclaimers. Written for a challenge at LJ's, Great Tales. BTW, I realize Will was a medical resident, but he's young-looking and I thought a casual observer might consider him just a college student.

The Quiet Ones

"How's what's-his-name coming along? The little guy with the glasses?"

"You know what, I've never seen anything like it. He goes at those exercises like a demon."

"Seriously? Are we talking about the same guy? Little . . . agh, what was his name . . . ?"

"Harold."

"Yeah, Harold. He looks like a good stiff breeze would knock him over."

"I know. But he pushes himself like you wouldn't believe. I actually had to tell him to slow down today, not to overdo it."

"Yeah? What'd he say?"

"It was . . . kind of weird. He just looked at me with those big blue eyes and said, 'I have people depending on me.'"

". . . Really."

"I know, right? Like he has to get back to running his multinational corporation, or his . . . orphanage, or something."

"He never even has any visitors, does he? Except that one college kid a few times."

"Or any cards, or flowers, or anything. Who all these people are supposed to be, I have no idea."

"Hey, maybe he's a superhero! Maybe 'disabled little guy with glasses' is just his, you know, secret identity."

"Oh yeah, that's it! Mild-mannered patient by day . . ."

"Caped crusader by night! That's gotta be it!"

"Oh, man, I haven't laughed like that in . . . You are a loon, you know that? Timid little Harold, the superhero."

"Hey, you know what they say . . . it's always the quiet ones."