"Dr. Lee, isn't there anything you can do?"
Fred Lee sighed as he leaned back in his chair, shaking his head at the patient and his parent in front of him.
"This is not something I'm qualified to treat. I would suggest going to see another doctor."
The patient, a young boy named Jason, and his mother both had a bit of pleading look.
"But we've tried other doctors and they kept referring us to you. You were our last shot." Jason's mother explained. "We don't know who else to see in San Fransokyo."
Fred sighed.
"I'd refer you to a friend of mine but… em… You probably wouldn't like him."
Jason raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? Is he some diagnostician who smokes all day? A prisoner trying to make up for his crimes by operating on people? Doctor who can hear the dead?"
Fred shook his head.
"Someone's been playing too many video games… But no, none of those." He looked to the mother. "Does the name Dr. Black Jack sound familiar?"
She frowned.
"Vaguely." She hummed in thought. "Oh wait, my sister's stepdaughter was treated by him. They were sure she was going to die but he cured her."
"That's him. I would refer you to him but keep in mind that when it comes to operations he isn't cheap… and I emphasize that big time."
She narrowed her eyes.
"If it's to save my son's life, I don't care the cost. I just want him better!"
Fred sighed.
"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you." He got up, writing down an address on a piece of paper, handing it to her. "He lives on a cape near the bay at his own private clinic. I'll let him know you're coming."
She gave him a grateful look as she and her son got up.
"Thank you very much, Doctor. Seriously, thank you."
Jason nodded.
"Yeah."
As they left, Fred sighed a bit again.
Don't thank me till you've gotten the boy treated.
oooooo
It took a bit before they found the clinic they were looking for. It was a nicely sized house. Not a mansion, but definitely a big place made mostly of wood and had a very old look to it unlike the rest of the San Fransokyo.
"Guess this is the place." The mother looked at the address. "Little old fashion for a private clinic."
Jason scoffed a bit, crossing his arms.
"Probably not old enough for someone like Frankenstein and his monster. But…" He frowned. "Better this then giving up, right?"
"Right. Come on."
They made their way up to the house, giving a knock.
"Dr. Black Jack?"
A few moments later, a young man answered the door… and they couldn't help but stare at him for a moment. His hair was dual colored, one half being white and the rest being black. He had a scar down the right side of his face, a portion of it being darker than the rest… but… other than that, he looked like a normal person.
"You must be the patient Dr. Lee spoke of." He nodded to them, gesturing them to come inside. "Come in."
They headed inside.
"Thank you for seeing him on such short notice." The mother said. "He's been so sick lately. You're really are our last hope here. Everyone else refuses to treat what he has."
"Dr. Lee didn't give me all the details. May I ask his condition?"
"He has Wermer's Syndrome. It just came out of nowhere in the last few weeks. He's not dying any time soon but without surgery…" She lowered her head. "He doesn't have long."
"Ah, a very rare condition." He looked to Jason. "Hm… tumors are required to be excised then after that's said and done he'll just need to be good about taking medicine for the rest of his life. Though the surgery will be difficult, reason doctors won't bother. I, however, am willing… at a cost though."
Jason narrowed his eyes while his mother gave a nod.
"Whatever the cost. I just want my little boy to live." She pleaded.
Black Jack gave a serious look.
"The cost for the operation will be $20,000."
Both her and Jason's eyes grew wide.
"What the heck-" The boy started to snap before his mother grabbed his shoulder.
"That's fine. I'll pay up. Just please save him!"
Black Jack smiled.
"It's a deal then. I prefer up front but I also take partial payments as well."
She nodded.
"That'll work for us. I'll make sure to pay it. I won't miss a single payment. I just want him to have a chance too. He's 12 years old."
Black Jack nodded.
"The operation will be tomorrow then. Have him come here early in the morning."
"I will. Thank you. Seriously, thank you."
oooooo
"So… how did it go?" Fred asked over the phone. "Get a slap from the mom over the price?"
"No, she agreed to it and the operation was a success by the way." Black Jack leaned back in his chair a little. "The boy will be fine as long as he's good about his medicine."
"That's a relief. I mean, most people say whatever the cost but money talks the most. Especially at your rates."
"Have to be sure they mean it. She agreed without missing a beat. I won't get paid all at once but I'm fine with partial payments over a course of time. But, that's the deal. Prove to me you truly mean you'll do anything."
"And you'll gladly heal them. They can't, they can hit the road. I know how ya work." He chuckled. "The big bad doctor of the cape."
Black Jack shook his head.
"Is that what everyone is calling me now?"
"That's the nicer abbreviation. There's a lot worse. Some I shouldn't say out loud. Darn rich folk." Fred sighed. "The ones who are grateful at least realize that a person can't be replaced but money CAN."
"Exactly… though, then again…" Black Jack smirked a little. "Medical officials don't like me much either."
"Mr. Unlicensed himself."
"Can't be helped. They don't like me stepping out of boundaries to help someone. Very much like what I did today."
"You go to whatever lengths it'd take to save a life. Doesn't matter who. You won't give up on 'em. Though, doesn't help that their fee pretty much covers the cost of everything. The mom got out luckier in the long run since it was one op versus several that might not have even worked."
"Exactly." Black Jack sat up straight, stretching a bit. "End of that story. Now, on to whatever else comes."
"Right… You ever think of settling down? Finding a wife?"
Black Jack narrowed his eyes.
"Fred, I have possibly one of the worst reputations any doctor could have." He looked at his reflection in a window. "Not the best looking either. I think the last thing a woman would want to marry is someone such as myself."
Fred cringed.
"You know, appearances aren't everything to every girl. Besides, I'd think with how many families you give the partial payment method to you'd want a kid of your own."
"It's a nice thought." Black Jack sighed. "Though I don't think it's in my near future."
"You never know. But I get ya… Sorry." There was some yelling heard in the background. "Ah crud-Gogo caught me when I was supposed to be getting paperwork done. Gotta go if I wanna live!"
"Get to it then. Talk to you later."
Black Jack hung up before grabbing his coat.
And I think I owe someone a visit.
As usual.
oooooo
"Welcome to the Lucky Cat!"
Aunt Cass looked up as she saw Black Jack walk in, being greeted by her lone waitress.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in." She smirked. "The usual?"
Black Jack chuckled as he sat down at a table.
"Yes, Aunt Cass."
"One hot chocolate and slice of cake as usual." She headed off to get it ready. "You know it wouldn't kill you to call me more often! I miss you!"
Black Jack smiled a bit.
"Sorry, Aunt Cass. I get a little coupled up with work sometimes."
"More like all the time." the waitress giggled as he got him some water. "Another successful operation?"
Black Jack nodded, taking the water.
"Yes, Kathleen. Difficult, but pulled through."
"As expected from Cass' greatest nephew ever."
"He's my only nephew." Aunt Cass called as she brought his order to him. "And again, on the house. Seeing you is payment enough." She ruffled his hair. "So messy!"
Black Jack laughed a bit.
"CASS! I'm not a kid anymore!"
"You're still MY kid!" She laughed. "You were barely past my hip just yesterday!"
"Sure, sure."
"Meeeeeow!"
A cat was now on the table, staring the man down.
"And afternoon to you too, Mochi."
"Miiaaaaaau!" The cat seemed to give him a look before hopping into his lap.
"Yeah, your hairy baby's missed you too." Aunt Cass smirked before heading back to the register. "Eating me out of house and home as usual! Darn cat!"
"Your fault." Black Jack smirked.
Kathleen set down his order for him.
"All yours, Doc."
"Thank you." Black Jack gave her a smile. "School going alright?"
"Tough as usual but I always look forward to coming here after it's all over." Kathleen giggled. "I have a great boss."
"Can agree."
"Yep. She's the best." She smiled. "Really glad she took me on. Been coming here since I was little so, it's made me happy."
"I'm glad." Black Jack took a sip of his drink. "Seen you grow up… and helped you from time to time."
"Yep. Kept me outta trouble which I'm thankful for." She took a glance around and narrowed her eyes. "Not again…" She muttered.
There was a young boy with a San Fransokyo Ninja's hat low on his head, going from each of the back tables, acting like he was looking for something.
"I thought I told him not to come back in here."
Black Jack looked to the boy as well.
"Trouble maker?"
Kathleen nodded, crossing her arms.
"Pick pocket. He's been coming in here for two weeks now, swiping my tips off the tables after customers leave and trying to take wallets too. Told him he wasn't welcomed back here after catching him digging through someone's coat they had dropped."
"I see. I can handle him if he tries me." Black Jack eyed his equipment bag. "I've got my own tricks after all."
"If you can scare him straight, by all means. I gotta check on the other customers." Kathleen gave the boy a glare before heading back to work.
It wasn't long before he did make his way over to Black Jack "falling" onto the floor.
"Oof! S-Sorry." He grabbed onto the bag, moving to get up.
Black Jack acted quickly, placing his hand over the boy's.
"You know, it's wrong to steal a doctor's medical equipment, right?"
The boy froze, giving him a stunned look.
"D-Doctor's equipment?" He shook his head. "I-I wasn't stealing! What gives you that idea? I fell!"
"Then why were you grabbing my bag then? I can't imagine it would help you up."
The boy used his free hand to tug his hat lower.
"You're not my dad. I don't have to answer to you." He tried to wrench his hand away. "I didn't want your stupid bag anyway!"
"Alright then." Black Jack let go as soon as the boy was trying to pull hard enough.
The boy didn't hesitate to go straight for the door, hurrying out before he got himself into further trouble.
Aunt Cass came over, hearing the door slam shut.
"... Don't tell me it was that kid again." She didn't sound frustrated like Kathleen had. She sounded worried.
"If you mean the San Fransokyo Ninja then that was the one. He was trying to swipe my equipment."
"And he obviously didn't get away with it." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He's so little. I wonder where his parents are and why they're not stopping this behavior of his."
"Know how old he is?" Black Jack asked as he dug back into his meal again.
"He's never given it but I'm guessing from his size… seven or eight years old? He should be in school but he's even come in on days when school's in session. Not afraid, that's for sure." Aunt Cass replied. "He just kind of came out of nowhere a few weeks back."
"I see. That's rather concerning." Black Jack shook his head. "Well… I'll just be mindful for whenever he shows up."
"He probably won't mess with you again. I know I should probably call the cops but I feel guilty whenever I look at him. He's just a kid who doesn't know any better." Aunt Cass sighed as she made her way back to the register. "Just hope he doesn't get try his luck somewhere rougher. There've been bot fighters around here too."
"Yeah, heard plenty about them when some of the fighters come banging at my door for treatments… or are looking for someone they were chasing who decided it would be a bright idea to hide somewhere around my home."
Aunt Cass cringed, shaking her head.
"Morons the lot of them."
Black Jack nodded.
"They do what they do… and I do what I do. Simple as that."
Can't control people after all.
