AAU was teeming with people all demanding treatment.
"If you'll just have a seat," Nurse Kendall attempted to shout over the noise of the crowd.
"This is ridiculous," Donna began. "There is no way that we can cope with all these people!"
"Well, if the Emergency department continue insisting that they are full and Mr Cullen is still dedicated to the Tans… Damn!" Maddy knocked over a huge pile of patient notes. She grumbled to herself and proceeded to pick them up.
"Mr Limestow?" Maria piped up. An elderly, boring looking gentleman with glasses stood up and made his way into the available cubicle. Maddy and Maria followed.
"Right, Mr… Limestow, what appears to be the problem?" Maddy began, leafing through his notes.
"I've got these pains in my chest…"
"Are you sure that it isn't just your angina?" Maddy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh well, uh, it could be I suppose."
"Is there anything else?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I do seem to have acquired a bad back."
"You have arthritis, Mr Limestow."
"Of course, I forgot."
"Mr Limestow?"
"Yes?"
"Are you always forgetting things like this? Because, if you are, there are some tests I think we should run."
"Um… I can't remember. Where's Marigold?"
Maddy looked at Maria.
"Is that your wife?" Maria asked. "Do you want us to contact her?"
"Yes, please. She's working at this very hospital, looking after our soldiers. We all have to do our bit in the war effort after all. I've just got back from France myself, I was fine all the time during dangerous combat and then I get back here to find myself in ill health!"
Maddy and Maria exchanged confused looks.
"What year is it, Mr Limestow?"
"1949 of course! Honestly, what do they teach you these days? And when do I get to see a doctor?"
"I am a doctor, Mr Limestow. And it's 2008, not 1949. Don't you remember?"
"Don't insult my intelligence, dear. Of course I know what year it is and I also know that young girls like you would be much better off sticking to needlework and cooking than medicine. Like you're really a doctor, honestly!" Mr Limestow replied, snootily and clearly annoyed.
As they left the cubicle, Maddy turned to Maria.
"Can you get on the phone to psychiatry; see if someone can see him asap." Maria nodded and got straight on the phone.