Chapter 2: Scruples
John was exhausted. He was angry. He was down right hard to be around. These were the rumors of the staff of County General. Two weeks into summer and John was really being a terror. He barked orders at nurses, lost his patience with patients, and had a permanent scowl on his face. Then one afternoon a voice from the past called out from behind him.
"John Boy!" Yelled a rather tall and obnoxious voice from the entrance bay of the E.R. John knew in an instant who was calling him, only one person ever called him by his college nickname, Bryce Xavier.
John took a deep breath as he turned to face his former college roommate. He was glad to see him really; he just loathed that name. "Bryce, what are you doing in Chicago?" John asked.
"What, no 'Great to see you' no 'How's the wife and kids?" Bryce asked with a smile. "Well…I'll answer for you…it is great to see me and there are no wife and kids. How the hell have you been, Dr. Carter?" Bryce questioned.
"Fine. Great really. So, what brings you to Chicago?" Carter said. He hadn't seen Bryce Xavier since the summer after his college graduation. He was pursuing a Master's in Business Administration and stayed in Philadelphia, John moved home to Chicago to attend medical school.
"Just in town for a business convention. Why they chose Chicago in the summer to have this convention, I'll never know. But since I was here for a few days, I thought I would look up: Dr. John Carter, M.D., and here you are, white coat and all!" Bryce marveled as he took a long look at John.
By this time an audience had started to form around the two men. Nurses looking at John rather surprisingly, giggling at his nickname: John Boy. John motioned for his old friend to follow him into the lounge.
"Wow it has been a long while. How are you? Do you want some coffee or something to drink?" John asked. He was rather glad to see a face from the past. He thought maybe this would help pull him out of his slump.
"I've been great man. Business is good, busy, but I like it. What about you, still in Chicago I see?" Bryce commented.
"Yeah, I really like it here. Most of my family is still here and I enjoy what I do so…" Carter continued but Bryce cut him off.
"I bet you do. Surrounded by all of these beautiful nurses looking up to you every day. You must have your pick of them, right?" Bryce said as he laughed.
There it was. Now he remembered. The reason he hadn't really tried to keep in contact with his old roommate…he was kind of sleazy. John smiled. "No, not really, I try to keep it pretty professional around here." John answered with a smile, remembering that one time in Exam 6 when he hadn't kept it professional.
"Well hey, I have to run, another boring presentation after lunch today. I am free tonight, you want to get dinner and catch up?" Bryce asked.
"Yeah. I am off around eight tonight. Why don't you stop by sometime after that and we can grab something to eat?" John replied.
"Sounds great. Let's see what trouble a Philly boy can get into in this city." Bryce laughed as he walked out of the lounge. Smiling at all of the nurses who had been watching their conversation intently.
John returned to work. Even though his old friend didn't have the moral scruples of his own character, John was looking forward to dinner tonight. Maybe he did need a night out on the town to blow off some steam and get out of his funk. He knew he didn't have to work tomorrow and even though he never drank much, he could really relax and enjoy himself.
John signed off on his last chart and headed for the lounge. He was surprised, maybe not too surprised, to see Bryce chatting up one of the new young nurses. The young nurse giggled at some sort of joke Bryce had just finished telling her. "Am I interrupting something?" John asked.
"No, no, I need to let this poor girl get back to work, I've been boring her with old college stories about the notorious John Carter." Bryce smiled.
"Just remember that none of it is true. His memory is pretty hazy from back then." John said to the nurse as she exited the lounge.
"Don't worry...I didn't tell her any of the good stories." Bryce said.
"So, I was thinking, there is this fun Thai restaurant that is within walking distance from here. They have a great" John was interrupted mid-sentence by Bryce.
"Okay, let me stop you there. You know I'm a steak and potatoes kind of guy. Besides, I have already found THE place. I was just there for drinks this afternoon. They have great food and a live band tonight. Also, there is a very hot waitress there. If she's lucky, maybe she can take the tour of my hotel room tonight." Bryce said confidently with a smile.
"Hmm…alright. If I remember right, I rather enjoyed seeing you make a fool of yourself in college too. This should be good. It is so refreshing to see that some things never change." John laughed as he grabbed his coat and bag. "Lead the way." He motioned towards the ER bay.
When they arrived at the restaurant they were seated by the hostess in the bar section. John liked the place, even though it was a little loud for his taste. The music was pleasant. The menu looked good. The bar was fully stocked. He thought he might start off with something strong, maybe a martini, or since he was with his college buddy, maybe a shot of something. His thoughts were interrupted by Bryce.
"Oh man! They didn't seat us in her section." Bryce was obviously upset.
"If I remember right from college, distance never stopped you when it came to women." John laughed thinking about all the times he had seen Bryce fail with girls. But then, he was also a little jealous, because he had seen him succeed a few times too. Some women did find him charming he thought.
"Hey, not to blow you off or anything but she's standing over at the bar. I am going to go over and talk to her. I will be right back." Bryce announced without even giving John anytime to protest. He dashed over to the bar. When John turned to look. He could see why Bryce was so eager to speak with this particular waitress. She had her back to John, but he could still see why Bryce was interested. She had long blonde hair. She wore a jean skirt with a plain white t-shirt, and pair of high-heeled shoes. John didn't know why but he thought the mix of casual clothes and stilettos was very attractive. Just then, their waitress arrived for their drink orders.
"Welcome to Celine's on the River. What would you like to drink?" the waitress asked.
"I'll have a beer." John answered, now feeling a little shy about ordering a martini in front of Bryce.
"Sounds good. I'll be back in a sec." the waitress said as she scurried over to the bar area.
John looked up from his menu to see what progress Bryce had made with his conquest. His heart sank when he saw her. There she was. Lucy Knight, medical student by day, waitress by night. He tried to look away, pretend he hadn't seen her. But it was no use. Bryce was motioning for her to come over to their table.
"You have to meet this guy. He was pretty much my alarm clock for four years in college. I really owe him my degree. Please meet the esteemed Dr. John Carter." Bryce smiled as he introduced them.
"How are you Lucy?" John asked. Meeting her smile with his.
"I'm fine, a little surprised to see you here. How are you doing, John?" she replied, remembering her promise to herself that if by chance she ran into Dr. Carter this summer, she was to call him John and nothing else.
"Am I missing something? Do you two know each other? John, I thought you said you hadn't been to this place before?" Bryce questioned.
John stood up from the table to greet Lucy with an awkward hug. "Lucy was my medical student this past year at County." John answered. "Its really good to see you again Lucy." John stated looking only into her deep blue eyes.
"Yeah, its good to see you too." Lucy replied with a big smile, while never taking her eyes off John. "I'm a little surprised to see you here, I didn't think that a place like this was quite your style."
"Actually, I recommended we come here." Bryce said while stepping between Lucy and John. "I couldn't get this place or you off my mind after lunch today." He commented with a grin.
Wow. John thought, this guy is really laying it on thick.
"Is that so?" Lucy questioned as she blushed a little at his forwardness. "So, are you always this grateful for good food and service or do I need to feel special?"
"Well since you asked…" Bryce began his reply but was interrupted when Lucy spotted one of her tables waving for her attention.
"Guys, our dinner crowd is getting a little impatient. Let me get back to work and I will check on you two later. By the way, be sure to have the bartender make you all one of his famous martinis, I know they're your favorite." She said smiling at John as she walked away.
"What is she talking about? I don't drink martinis." Bryce questioned John, not knowing the suggestion had not been for him. "Anyway, what do you think? She's cute right?"
"Yes, she is a very pretty girl. A little young for you don't you think?" John asked.
"No. What is she like 25 or 26, she's in medical school right?" Bryce replied.
"Yeah, she is 25, her birthday was back in March." John clarified.
"Um…how well do you know Lucy?" Bryce asked.
"Well…. she has been my student on and off for the last academic year. Why?" John replied while sipping his beer.
"Hey man….am I encroaching on your territory here?" Bryce asked as he suddenly became aware that John and Lucy have known each other for quite some time.
"She's a person Bryce, not France in World War 2. And no, Lucy is not my "territory". Why do you ask?" John asked while trying to hide his interest in Lucy.
"Well… I get the feeling that she is very agreeable. If you know what I mean." Bryce said with a wink.
"No, I don't know what you mean. Care to explain?" John asked.
"Hey, you know her better than me. Does she always dress like that?" Bryce turned to look a Lucy while she waited on a table across the room.
"No, she doesn't wear stilettos and short denim skirts to work at the hospital Bryce. But I haven't really seen her outside of work lately, so who knows." John answered.
"She's not seeing anyone is she?" Bryce continued his questioning.
"I don't know, I'm not her Dear Diary. Can we just change the subject please?" John abruptly asked.
"Yeah, sure, so let me tell you about this new deal I am getting ready to set-up back in Philly." Bryce talked on and on about his business endeavors for the majority of the night.
John listened to Bryce as he droned on and on. He was relieved when Bryce excused himself to the restroom. John stood up and stretched as he walked over to the bar. "Excuse me, can I get one of your house martini's I hear they are supposed to be pretty good." John asked the bartender.
"Coming right up." the bartender replied.
"Hello everyone. Welcome to Celene's on the River. We are proud tonight to present the musical stylings of the Chicago Trio." Lucy's voice was too familiar for John not to notice. He turned to see her introducing the band, with that patented Lucy smile. It made John smile to see her like this, outside the formal walls of the hospital.
"Sir…sir…your drink." The bartender dragged John's gaze away from Lucy. He turned and sipped his martini. Lucy was right, it really hit the spot.
John turned his attention back to Lucy, scanning the restaurant to find her. His heart stopped when his eyes found her. She wasn't alone. Bryce had her cornered by the kitchen entrance. Just then, Bryce moved a little so that John could see Lucy's face. Now he felt better. He could tell the smile on Lucy's face was a fake one. She had used it too many times around him when she was trying to hide her own emotions. John got a little warm and fuzzy inside, not just from the martini, but from the enjoyment of watching Bryce strike out yet again. Bryce didn't know it yet, but John did. Lucy was too smart to fall for his moves. John felt guilty for wanting Bryce to fail. "Why do I even care?" He asked himself quietly. That was a question his heart knew the answer to, but his head just couldn't comprehend.
A few minutes later. Bryce joined John at the bar. "So, is the pretty young waitress going to get the privilege of going home tonight with THE Bryce Xavier?" John asked with a smile, seeing as he already knew the answer. "Another martini my man!" He said as he smiled at the bartender.
"Afraid not. The young lady will not have the privilege of accompanying me to my hotel room tonight." Bryce replied.
"Sorry man, maybe you're just not her type." John tried not to smile as he comforted his wounded friend. "There are other fish in the sea."
"What do you mean not her type? I am EVERY woman's type." Bryce boasted with a smile. Then he continued "Seems that someone has already placed their flag on that territory."
"What are you talking about?" John was a little confused. To call him a light weight were alcohol is concerned would be an understatement.
"Nah man, she has a boyfriend. Which would have been nice if you had told me. I wasted my whole night trying to talk to that girl." Bryce complained.
"Since when does she have a boyfriend?" John mused out loud. "I didn't think she…well maybe…I mean…she has a life too." John trailed off feeling a little deflated.
"Yeah, she said that even though I was very attractive, she didn't have the moral scruples or something to cheat on her boyfriend. Or something lame like that. Hey, I've got to get back to my hotel. If nothing is going to develop here I am at least going to get some rest for my meeting tomorrow." Bryce was speaking to John, but he was only half listening.
"Yeah, sure, hey, it was great seeing you again. Thanks for dinner." John half-heartedly replied knowing full well that it would be many more years before he would see this man again.
"You too. We should do this again some time. You going to split or hang here for a while?" Bryce asked.
"Um… I think I will hang here. I am going to finish this drink and then go." John replied.
John and Bryce shook hands and John returned to the bar. John sat there for a moment. He thought about how Lucy had moved on and maybe he should do the same. He was glad she hadn't been interested in Bryce, but knowing that she was in a relationship with another man really dug at his brain.
"Sir, would you like another martini?" the bartender asked.
"Yes, very much so." John replied finishing the last sip of the drink he had in his hand.
