"How did she know we were witches?" Phoebe whispered to Piper as they filled out the forms.
"I don't know," Piper said, "but I'm getting a funny feeling about this. She didn't seem concerned that we were witches. Almost like it wasn't important except for the blue forms. Kind of like she was more interested in the paperwork than in us being witches."
"Wait a minute," Phoebe said. "You aren't saying what I think you're saying. Are you?"
"Remember what Cole and Leo said about the cable guy?" Piper asked. "Only interested in their paperwork. Who else would know we were witches just by looking at us."
"Oh great," Phoebe said. "Bureaucracy demons. Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Maybe we should just get out of here."
"And come back again?" Piper questioned. "If we don't do this now your doctor is just going to reschedule your appointment. I don't like it any better than you do but if we have to do this I think we should just get it over with."
"You don't think my doctor is a bureaucracy demon, do you?" Phoebe asked.
"I don't know," Piper said. "All the people who work here probably aren't. But it does kind of make sense. What better place for bureaucracy demons to work than a place like this? Let's just get the paperwork filled out and get this over with."
Piper and Phoebe spent the next two hours filling out the paperwork. It was another two hours after that before the nurse finally showed up and sent them to the admissions office. They spent another hour there filling out more paperwork. Then they spent thirty minutes filling out forms to determine what tests the doctor would perform. After another forty-five minute wait, they were sent to the assignment office where they filled out even more paperwork to get Phoebe's case assigned to a doctor.
"I'm really beginning to hate this place," Phoebe said. "I'm beginning to get writers cramp."
"It's almost over," Piper said. "Once they assign a doctor to you you'll have the tests and we can get out of here. Then we won't have to come back again."
It was the middle of the afternoon before Phoebe was finally shown into an examination room. She put on the obligatory gown (with the back open, of course) and sat waiting on the examination table for the doctor. After nearly forty minutes, an elderly man wearing a white doctors' coat came in looking at a chart.
"Phoebe Halliwell," said the doctor without looking up from the chart. "Well, you're lucky. We were able to get you in rather quickly. Some people are very discourteous about canceling appointments."
"Quickly?" questioned Phoebe, trying to control her temper. "We've been here nearly the entire day. I was only supposed to be here for a couple of hours. And I've filled out so many forms my hand is numb."
"Don't get yourself worked up," said the doctor, looking up at her. "It isn't good for your blood pressure."
The man appeared to be human except for his eyes. They were cat-like, showing that he was not actually human. And when he blinked, it wasn't up and down as most people did. His eyelids were vertical and when he blinked his eyes it produced the oddest affect.
"Oh no," Phoebe said, "no way. There's no way I letting some demonic doctor examine me."
"Well, you wouldn't want a human doctor, would you?" asked the doctor. "What if something.... unforeseen should occur during the examination? At least with me you won't have any embarrassing explanations."
"Phoebe just take it easy," said Piper. "I'll be here the whole time."
"Oh, I'm afraid that's not allowed," said the doctor. "You'll have to wait in the outer room, I'm afraid."
"That's not going to happen," Phoebe said. "She stays and that's final."
"Well," said the doctor, "I suppose it won't hurt. This one time. Now, there's only last minor matter to clear up before we get started. It's about payment for your visit. I'm afraid your insurance doesn't cover this type of visit. So you'll have to make payment in full and up front before we can start."
"That's crazy," Piper said. "Phoebe's insurance from the paper covers just about any type of medical treatment. This is just supposed to be a routine visit and some standard tests."
"Yes," said the doctor, "standard for a magical child. I'm afraid mortal insurance doesn't cover such matters. And I see you didn't fill in anything for supernatural insurance. I assume that means you have no supplemental insurance coverage."
"No, I don't," said Phoebe. "Okay, look. How much is this going to be? I can write you a check. Or maybe we can make some kind of arrangements for a payment plan. Whatever it takes to get this over with."
"I'm afraid that's out of the questions," the doctor said. "Payment has to be in full and up front. And I can assure you that you are probably not prepared to make payment at this time. Humans can be so squeamish about such matters. Unfortunately, without it, I'm afraid there's simply nothing I can do. We'll have to send you to County General. I'm sure they will be able to fit you in within a couple of months. Nothing to worry about."
"A couple of months?" questioned Phoebe. "This is ridiculous. I didn't even want to come in for these tests. My doctor said it was necessary."
"Well," said the doctor, "according the forms you signed, I'm afraid you have no choice. I'll talk to the nurse and see about transferring your case to County. Wait right here."
"I'm going to find some way to vanquish that guy," Phoebe said, fuming as the doctor left the room. "I don't care what Cole and Leo said. Bureaucracy demon or not, I've just about had it with this place."