Chapter 9: Doctor's Orders
It felt like an eternity before Asher opened his eyes once again, and as the world returned to the farmer he realized a great many things all at once. His head stung – No, it felt more like it had swollen to three times it's normal size – And he felt a numbness to his mouth that made him question whether he still had any teeth. The ceiling was white, just like the walls all around him; a clear sign that he was no longer within the wizard's tower. He turned his head, almost losing consciousness from the dizziness and spied a curtain pulled as though to conceal him from prying eyes.
'Am I in a hospital?' He wondered groggily, eyes still bleary from his near comatose state. 'Does Pelican Town even HAVE a hospital?' He half remembered some manner of clinic near Pierre's place; maybe that's where he'd been brought – But even thinking such a thing brought on a slew of new questions. Firstly; who had brought him here – And how long had he been unconscious?
As if on queue, the curtains opened up and a young nurse stepped inside. She was dressed in what he would have expected from someone of her station, with darker skin than almost anyone else in town and glasses that put even his own to shame. Asher silently bit back a curse; where WERE his glasses anyway? He could see alright without them, but even as close as she was there were details about the young woman that seemed fuzzy to his straining eyes. She noticed him trying to sit and quickly rushed to his side; her face was a mix of surprise and concern. "Don't get up!" She cried, gently easing him back down before turning back beyond the curtain, "Doctor Harvey come quickly – He's woken up!"
Asher heard footsteps, and within seconds a man walked briskly into the room. The nurse handed him a clipboard – One that the farmer had somehow missed before – And the doctor quickly looked it over. He was an older man – Perhaps with only a few years upon him – With a finely groomed mustache and spectacles similar to his own. 'Where the hell ARE those things anyway – They'd better not have gotten broken!'
Count on Rasmodius not to have the decency to catch him after almost poisoning him to death!
With a nod of approval, the doctor moved to take a seat beside his bed. He looked the farmer squarely in the eyes. "Can you tell me your name?"
"Asher." The word came out clearly, though the farmer remained certain his mouth have left his face. "Where am I?"
A smile spread across his caretaker's face. "If your curiosity has returned then we're on the right path. You're in my clinic here in town; my name is Harvey." He gave the nurse a gesture and she stepped forward, gently bowing her head in silent greeting. "This is my nurse, Maru. She's been watching over you since you were brought in."
The words sank in quickly. "What do you mean brought in – Who brought me here?" He couldn't remember – Everything was just a blur of colors and shapes. He couldn't couldn't conceive of Rasmodius making the trip – And especially not for him! It was more likely the man would've used some spell to see him walk the way himself, but clearly even that had been too much to expect.
The two exchanged looks; Maru looked uncertain before Harvey returned to him. "Marnie did. She said she found you passed out on the ground near her farm. She brought you in right away and you've been here ever since."
Another sinking feeling quickly set in. "How long was I out for?"
Harvey looked at his watch before answering. "Since around six last night – So nearly eighteen hours now. I'm a little concerned that you slept so long since your body and blood work show no signs of distress or abnormalities – Do you know what caused you to collapse?"
Somehow Asher doubted the wizard would want him spewing off about his business to the likes of the general populace; the farmer only shook his head. Rasmodius knew his darkest secrets; he felt honor-bound, if nothing else – To try and prove to the man that he had no reason to share them around. 'He's probably watching me right now just for that!' The doctor's concern only grew at the lack of explanation, and Asher found himself trying to shrug despite laying so prone. "I really don't remember much of anything – I was out exploring and... Ah, it's just not coming back to me..." He hoped the words were convincing enough; he'd never been good at lying on his feet.
Lying on his back felt even tougher.
Harvey pressed him no further and once more looked over the papers upon the board. "Well, at the very least you're back with us now. Since you're coherent enough to ask questions, I can tell you that beyond this incident you seem to be in relatively good health – Though your blood pressure is awfully high. I would do something about those stress levels, otherwise you might end up back here sooner then you'd like." Despite the harsh news, the man's tone was mostly upbeat; he seemed happy his patient had come around.
But the farmer remained skeptical; he knew how these sorts of things usually worked. "And what is all of this going to cost me?" The doctor's kind demeanor faltered at the words, and his eyebrows rose in stunned surprise. Even Maru managed a gasp – Neither had been expecting him to ask. Asher quickly regretted his blunt tone and tried to shake his head. "I mean... Sorry; sorry, that was rude. I'm still not used to things here..." He turned his head, indicating the rest of the immaculate room with a soft nod. "But all this; your care and your time – It can't be free so... Yeah..."
Maru left the room – Though whether she knew better than to remain, or his accusations had stung her into leaving Asher didn't know. Harvey stood and moved to close the curtains before returning to the bedside chair. "Normally you would be correct Asher. Time and resources are things that, by all accounts, I would charge for; but you were an emergency case from what I could tell, and Pelican Town operates a little bit differently then what you'd usually see in the city." The farmer grew curious, but dared not speak for fear of interrupting the man. Harvey adjusted his glasses and smiled kindly down at him. "We're a community out here, and we help each other out. I may not know you well now, but I'd like to think if there was some manner of emergency, and your farm held the key to resolving it, you'd be quick to lend a hand as well, right?"
Asher hadn't thought of it like that – He quickly nodded before the man's opinion of him could sour. Deep down he wasn't so sure of his good character, but it felt nice to have someone hold some manner of faith in him – Even if it was misjudged. Harvey nodded his approval and stood, gesturing to the table beside the bed. "I've left your possessions in the drawer there; glasses and the like, so you can collect them whenever you like. You should be fine to leave today if that suits you, but I have no issue if you stay one more day just to be sure. Since we don't know what caused your collapse, it could very well happen again, and you'll be safer here then alone on your farm."
The words cut deep; what if he hadn't been found out there? A part of him fumed with rage at the wizard's ineptitude, but just as quickly that anger gave way to more rational thought; Rasmodius was resourceful and crafty. If the man had planned for Asher to leave under his own power then surely he had orchestrated this somehow; he needed him to help the Jumino, so there was little chance of the farmer simply dying under the elements. Asher looked down at the bed upon which he lay; it was comfier then the one on his farm; he could afford to stay one more day, couldn't he?
'Shit – My crops!'
"I should go." He said, moving to rise once more. "If I've been here all night then my crops are probably overheated or... Dry or whatever happens when I don't water them." Harvey gave him a confused glance and Asher flushed. "I'm still new to this; trying not to screw it up..." His livelihood was going to depend on those parsnips before long – He had to make sure they lived to see fruition.
The doctor glanced towards the window, "If that's the case, I won't stop you – But I believe you should have a look outside before you go running off to water anything."
Asher stopped just shy of climbing out of bed – And trying to untangle his legs from the blankets at the same time. He turned, following the look, and spied the window; it was splattered with rain and, even as he watched, more continued to assault the building from without. The droplets looked cool and refreshing; the farmer eased himself down with a shallow grin. "Well... Then I guess... Guess I'll just stay here?" He looked back as Harvey tried to hide a smirk before making for the door.
With the curtain now pulled back, Asher had a better view of the room; it was full of charts and medical supplies – Stacked neatly atop the various tables along the walls. Just beyond the cordoned off area he slept in was a long table with a cushion built atop it – He remembered something about doctors using it for examinations as a child and quickly shirked away from staring. The room held no one else now; he wondered why they'd bothered with the curtain at all.
'Maybe it was just so that this wouldn't overwhelm me when I woke up?' There was no one to ask; he could do little beyond accept his thoughts as truth. Outside the room the rainstorm raged on, and there was a part of him that wished he was out walking about – But getting sick would have done him little good going forward. Even if his crops had been cared for by the elements – And he could only pray they didn't drown in the downpour and die anyway – He would still have work to do come tomorrow. Pierre had said the parsnips would take four days.
That meant he'd have a busy morning ahead of him.
The longer that idle the more he regretted his decision to remain; there was nothing to do! Asher looked about but failed even to spy a even a single thing to occupy his growing boredom. 'What kind of hospital doesn't have a TV?' He frowned. With a sigh, the farmer closed his eyes and tried to sleep – Rest might help cure his mounting headache, after all.
Yet after several long minutes he was just as awake as ever. "Screw it – This isn't working..." He rose with a few shaky steps off the bed – Still the room seemed to spin at his very glance, but at least it was becoming easier to focus. He fumbled his way into the drawer and felt the telltale glasses that lurked within – And cried at alarm at their state. "Rasmodius you-" The wizard truly had left him just hit the floor, hadn't he? The pair hadn't broken – Small mercy that – But one lens had cracked, giving him a nasty distraction through which to view the world. He muttered a curse and collected his wallet and other possessions, all the while wondering in what way he could best stick it to the wizard in return for the slight.
He thought once more of what had happened within that tower, sighed, and turned his thoughts elsewhere – It simply wasn't worth going to war with a man who could destroy him in an instant.
Asher left the room, gaining a curious stare from the doctor who stood just behind the counter. He had been talking with Maru but both turned their attention upon him the moment he dared to show his face. "Changed your mind?" Harvey asked, though his face showed he already knew the answer. Asher grimaced; suddenly embarrassed by the attention.
"I... Yeah. I was getting bored – Couldn't sleep. Figured I'd head home and spare you folks the trouble, you know?" Smooth Asher; like they won't worry just because you're out of eyesight. He scratched at the back of his head, "I mean, I'm sure I'll be alright, you know?" He tried with every ounce to sound convincing; the last thing he wanted to do was have them come check on him later. "I'll come back if something happens though."
That HAD to work.
Somehow it did – Or seemed to, at the very least – And Harvey gave him a soft nod. He told the farmer to wait as he turned and headed into a back room, vanishing for several minutes before at last returning. "Here, take this." He handed the farmer a card, which Asher was quick to accept. "It's the number to the office here. I wrote my own as well – If you experience any dizziness or other problems, call me immediately and I'll come and get you. Your farm isn't far, but it's still not safe to have you walking about if you can't handle it." The farmer hid his surprise well – He managed a nod even despite the obvious truth forming in his mind.
He didn't have a phone anymore.
"Sure; I'll do that." He'd be fine; he knew what caused the collapse and it wasn't as though he'd be lining up to try more of the murky mixture Rasmodius had given him. 'Tasted like shit anyway...' He offered them both a small wave and turned to leave when the door opened of it's own accord, and a parasol pushed it's way inside.
"Sorry!" Cried a familiar voice as the item was quickly closed, and a dripping Penny looked up at them all. Her eyes widened in some surprise, seeing the farmer there before her, but she quickly turned her attentions to the pair behind the counter. "Doctor Harvey I..." She flushed red with embarrassment, "I know I shouldn't ask you but I..." Her eyes kept trickling back to Asher, making the boy more and more uncomfortable each time. Whatever she wanted to say his presence was clearly keeping her from doing it. The doctor didn't force her; he waited patiently until she tried again. "I need your help. It's... It's mother again – She needs to go home; she's fallen asleep at the bar again and I can't move her alone and..." Her cheeks reddened all the more; the farmer tried to look away to spare her. "No one else wants to get near her... Not after the last time..."
"You mean when she gave Clint that black eye?" Maru piped up, before quickly clamping a hand over her face. Harvey shot the girl a dirty look – A sign she should have known better – While Penny herself hid her face in her hands. Asher frowned at the discomfort weighing so heavily in the room – The girl was clearly embarrassed, and now it had been brought out in full before a perfect stranger.
Harvey himself looked none to eager to get involved. He rubbed at his arm, looking awkwardly away. "I could... I suppose I could try? I can't imagine I'd be of much help though – Especially if Clint or Gus aren't able to get her moving..." It was a weak excuse; one that Asher saw right through. With the strength of two the job could be done, but the man was merely afraid of the slumbering woman and didn't want to risk angering her. Penny looked on the verge of despair when the farmer indicated the door.
"I'll do it."
The offer caught them all unaware; the quiet girl before him only stared back in surprise. "You – Asher? Are you sure? I'd really appreciate it but..." Her eyes trailed to Maru; the girl's words remained fresh in all their minds. "I don't want to trouble you; mother can be..." She fought for the word, clearly overcome by it all. "She can be difficult and..."
But he had already heard enough, and gently moved passed her towards the door. "It's fine; if she takes a swing she takes a swing – I've suffered worse." The words weren't untrue, though even despite them he didn't relish the thought of being knocked out by someone in his first week here – Let alone for trying to help. He opened the door and, after a moment of staring up at the rain, glanced back towards Penny. "Might want to hold that thing a little tighter; the rain seems to have gotten you anyway."
"Asher, you shouldn't strain yourself – Really, I can..." Harvey tried to intervene, but the farmer merely waved him off; he was good enough for this, and if nothing else he could prove that the doctor's faith in him was at least somewhat well deserved.
"I can handle it – Don't worry." He offered Penny a reassuring nod, "Lead on."
They walked in silence; Penny seemed unable to find the words to say to him. He didn't expect any; and instead merely enjoyed the cool night air upon his skin. The doctor's office had been a stuffy thing – He'd sweated through the night and likely smelled awful as a result; this was a nice contrast. The saloon was but a short distance away and before he knew it he was following the girl inside.
Sure enough, the older matron he had spied the other day was Penny's mother – She was lying face down upon the bar, one hand wrapped firmly around the handle of a mug while the other banged sleepily upon the counter top as she muttered something about a refill. If Penny had seemed sad before, she looked almost moved to tears by the sight before her. Those around the bar looked away in shame, though none looked anymore inclined to help. Gus called a greeting to Asher, as though he were just another customer but when the farmer indicated the slumbering burden the proprietor merely nodded and returned to his duties.
Penny approached first, trying and take hold of her mother by the arm and pull her from her stupor. "Mother... Come on now – It's time to go home and-"
"Shove off!" Though clearly inebriated the woman still held the power to throw her daughter bodily to the floor. Penny hit the floorboards with a hard thud, crying out in surprise and pain – And more than a little embarrassment as the matriarch looked away bitterly. "Gus! Another!" She continued to slam the mug atop the counter. Emily rushed to the girl's side, helping her to her feet but from the looks upon both of their faces this was not the first time for such an incident.
It was unlikely to be the last either.
Gus turned to her; his face a mix of painful emotions. "Pam, you're cut off. I've told you that – Emily's told you that. You need to go home and sleep; you're making a scene here." He looked around the saloon for support, but everyone else appeared preoccupied by their drinks. Asher frowned; was this was passed for community here? Was everything just so much hot air?
Angry, Pam turned an icy glare on the rest, "What do you all know anyway? I ain't the one makin' no scene – You all just... You just..." Asher finally decided to step forward, coming to stand beside the woman as she turned her hazy, bitter eyes upon him. "Who the FUCK are you now? Come to try and take me home?" She poked his chest hard with the mug – The farmer flinched but otherwise held his ground. "Think yer tough? Think yer some big ma- HEY CLINT!" She spied the blacksmith seated further back behind. "Whassamatter wit you now? Too scared to try'n move me?!"
Penny held back a sob as Emily gently tried to reassure her; Asher's frowned deepened all the more. "Miss; I think it's time for you to-"
His words stopped short as she struck him with a balled fist – It knocked the wind from his body and sent the boy reeling back a step. Pam tried to stand and, barely able to keep her footing, held onto the counter with both hands. The mug fell from her fingertips and clattered upon the floor; had it been made of anything save for wood, it likely would've shattered from the impact. The woman swayed back and forth and shook a fist in his direction; Asher grimaced at the sight. "You don't fuckin' know me kid – Who do you think you are anyway? I oughta hit yah again and teach yah som-"
This time, he cut her off. "Go ahead then." Asher sucked down a deep breath – And just as quickly prepared to lose it – And stood tall once more before her. Hunched as she was, she was nearly a head shorter then him now; if her punches went any lower he wouldn't be able to maintain the facade but somehow merely standing here was the best idea he had. "Hit me all you want; I don't give a damn about that; but sooner or later you need to realize enough is enough." He gently kicked the mug with his foot, drawing her attention down towards it. "You wanna drink? That's fine. No one's trying to stop you – But you're being a damn fool by putting yourself under with the stuff. You can't drink when you're dead lady." She snarled at the remark and Asher braced himself for the onslaught.
'It's just pain...' She hit him again, even harder this time, and the punch nearly crumpled him to his knees. 'You can take pain – After all the crap you've endured pain is nothing.' The next hit rattled his teeth – NOW he could feel the blasted things! His headache felt all the worse, but still he endured; the woman faltered once, barely catching herself upon the bar. She screamed something he didn't hear; he was too busy focusing on his thoughts. 'She can only hit you, but she can't break you. You're already broken Asher; you're here to fix that, and she can't stop you. Do this; make your peace with it, and show these people they can't fuck with you.'
Asher grinned, and as Pam moved to hit him again, he stood up.
The fight fell from her as he stared her down. Asher wiped the blood from his lip. The crack on his lens had broken away entirely and now the second bore signs of the scuffle as well. As calmly as he dared, Asher removed his lens and looked down at them; they were useless now. Broken like he was. He tossed them atop the counter. "Done then?" The woman said nothing and Asher nodded his approval. "Good. Go home Pam; sleep it off. The booze will still be here tomorrow." He gave the barkeep a look – One of questioning on the matter – But Gus was too stunned to even reply. All around him people stared, and it was all the farmer could do to keep from faltering now. His whole body ached – How many times had she hit him? Where did she get the strength?!
But he couldn't show weakness; not now. It would destroy the message he was trying to send if he crumpled. Pam said nothing; her eyes fell to the floor and she trudged slowly passed him. She made for the door, sputtered our a weak, halfhearted curse and made her way into the night. Penny rushed after her, slowing only as she passed him by; her eyes were red from the tears – And just like that she was gone without a word.
No one dared to speak – Until Emily moved to stand beside him. "Are... Are you alright?" Asher knelt, wincing as his ribs cried out in pain, and retrieved the discarded cup. He looked down into it; spying the last few droplets of whatever the woman had consumed. His head still rattled from the blows and with a cold, satisfied look her spat whatever blood that was loose in his mouth into the mug before placing it firmly upon the bar. He stared at it for several long seconds before at last returning to Emily – He gave her a smile of reassurance.
"I think I'll take that drink now."
Author's Note: Somehow the end of this chapter became a regular Jerry Springer escapade by the end of it - How'd that happen? I knew going into this that I'd have Pam being a problematic person - It's always kind of the vibe I got from her in the game; she's depressed and lashing out through alcohol, but naturally the game never goes to that extreme. It's scary stuff.
