Chapter Two – Cook County Hospital

The sunlight slowly penetrating through the mysterious thick fog lingered round the beautiful mix of architectures and skyscrapers of Chicago. A tall building with cream- colored limestone masonry, situated on the corner nearby a bridge, overlooking the Chicago River where the murky waters flows through the heart of the city. The building is signed "Cook County Hospital" and next door, black horse drawn carriages with the sign "Department of Health" and a Red Cross emblem, drive in and out of the ambulance bay, dropping off the sick or the injured.

Inside the hospital, in the emergency room department; a large open plan room with two dozen metal-framed beds with no curtains to draw, minimal privacy for the patients, cabinets stocked with medical supplies. At the nurses' station situated in the middle of the department, Doctor John Carter hunkered over the counter writing his patient's report. Slipping his free hand into his fawn-colored twill vest pocket he pulled out his 22 carat gold watch and flipped it open to look at the time. The expensive watch is a graduation gift from his father, a well-known local tycoon.

"Dr. Lockhart is late getting back from her visiting rotation," John sighed, shoving the watch back into his pocket. His eyes searched round the room he then focused back on his paperwork again.

"She is a damn fine looking lady" Luka Kovac commented, in his thick Croat accent, leafing through his own paperwork. He was one of the many immigrants who had moved to the US in search of a better life. However, while most immigrants were in search of money or freedom, Luka had his own, more personal reasons He hoped to move on, escape his hometown haunted by the memories of the brutal murder of his wife and children. Life is better for him here, but vivid flashbacks still plague him.

"Hands off"

"Huh?" Luka grunted, rocking on his feet with both hands in his pockets, wearing brown and black pinstriped trousers with matching twill vest over his white neckband shirt. With a shrug "I didn't know you two were romantically involved."

"We're not" Carter answered, paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm working on it"

Abby rushed through the main doors looking flustered, a bag in one hand and her hat in the other. She pulled away the loose strands of hair stuck to her sweaty skin and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket to mop her forehead.

"You're an hour late" Carter said, nodding at the rosy-cheeked brunette.

Abby looked at him, eyebrows up. Her lips pouted, not quite sure how to take that. "I didn't know I was being timed," she scoffed, slamming her bag on to the counter.

"Dr Lockhart, your patient…" Luka said and paused to scan for the name on the paperwork. "Isabella Frantz, she has arrived and we've sent her to the ward on fifth floor to be quarantined."

"Thank you Dr Kovac." Abby smiled wryly as she finally caught her breath.

"So Dr Lockhart, what took so long for you to get back here? Even your patient got here before you." John chuckled.

Shaking her head Abby said, "You are not my superior, keeping tabs of my time!" Then she bit her tongue to keep herself from saying anything more. Dr. Carter wasn't her boss, but he was her colleague, and she really didn't want to offend him.

She had walked all the way to the hospital from the city centre. Her shoulders ached, her eyes burned and she seemed to be sweating from every pore in her body.

Mopping her forehead again she continued. "Matter of fact I had to walk, some kid pick pocketed me as I left my last patient. It happened outside his home. There was a mob of people gathered there, celebrating McKinley's re-election. I had to push my way through and …" she paused and smiled again, "I guess I paid for my rudeness."

"Yes we heard, again defeating William Jennings Bryan." Dr. Susan Lewis nodded, walking past behind Abby.

"News travel fast. The newspapers just came out less than an hour ago." Abby's eyes followed Susan.

"Dr Dubenko told us just before you arrived."

"Dr Dubenko? I don't believe I've met him yet?"

"He's the surgeon. He just got back from his vacation."

"Speaking of transportation, perhaps you would do better riding on a bicycle?" John suggested to Abby. "The hospital has bicycles for you to use."

"Oh? No-one informed me that the hospital would provide me with transportation," Abby said in surprise as she leaned against the counter "I presume that I can claim back my cab fees?"

"Hmm … not likely." Susan raised her brows as she entered the nurse's station, placed a pile of files on to the desk then seated herself before the typewriter. Susan Lewis is the first female physician to be employed at the Cook County hospital.

"If I was rich like you Dr Carter," Abby said sarcastically, "I would be driving a Morris and Salom's Electrobat II, then I would be back on time." Abby grinned and snatched her medical bag from the counter. She started to walk away then turned back to look at Carter. "How much are automobiles worth? Must be more than my year's salary…Gosh"

"Money and fair words my dear" Carter chuckled and carried on writing. "Anyway neither women nor minors are allowed to drive such vehicles … or at least I'd like to think so."

Abby shook her head "Then I suppose it's a good thing that rich, spoiled brats like you don't run the world!" Turning on her heel again, she left the room and headed for the doctor's restroom where she could get a much-needed drink.

Luka and Susan exchanged looks that said each had the same thoughts, and then they both laughed in unison. John seemed to have lost the ability to form words to answer back; he stood there with his mouth hanging open.

"I like her!" Susan laughed again; tucking the stray bit of hair back into the bun and fed a sheet of paper into the typewriter and began punching at the keys.

"You think you have a chance with her now?" Luka asked looking at his colleague.

John nodded "Give it time," he said arrogantly. He collected his paperwork together and left to see to a patient.

Five minutes later Abby emerged from the restroom looking refreshed and tidy.

"Dr. Lockhart!" Susan called to her.

"Yes?"

"I forgot to tell you earlier, Dr. Anspaugh wants to see you in his office right away."

Dr Donald Anspaugh lifted his head as a knock sounded on his consulting-room door. He called out "Come in!"

"You wanted to see me, Dr Anspaugh?" Abby asked entering the room, closing the door from behind. She took a quick glance about the room; marvelling at the impressive display of medical journals and human organs in glass jars. The bookcases lined two whole walls from floor to ceiling. She moved to stand in front of his desk putting her arms behind her back.

"Dr Lockhart, I have had a complaint from a patient of yours" Anspaugh said. He gestured to Abby "Please take a seat"

"Would that be Mr Goldblum?" Abby asked, sitting down. She leaned back and lowered her elbows on to the chair arm; bound her fingers together, took in a deep breath.

"Yes." Dr. Anspaugh tossed the complaint form across the desk and pointed. "He stated here that you threatened him that he has to wait for another doctor because you had a problem with him."

Abby looked down at the paper and felt anger rising inside her. "That's a lie, I never threatened him. I believe he misunderstood what I said"

"Can you explain this, Doctor Lockhart?"

"He was none too impressed that I was a female doctor. I said that if he has a problem, he should get another doctor. A male doctor."

"Look. I need to emphasize that this is a problem you will have to deal with every day"

"But I refused to be treated like some…" She stuttered with a shrug, "a second citizen or spoken to as if I'm inadequate to do the job"

"Well I am afraid that you will have to put up with it or find another profession."

"I'm not doing that." Abby leaned forward and protested, "I spent years at Northwestern University studying medicine, and I am not going to throw it all away!"

"No I don't want you to throw it away. I chose you to work here because you had best graduation results in the women's division of the medical college class of 1900." Anspaugh leaned back into his chair. "I will be disappointed if you cannot resolve this problem, Dr Lockhart"

"I want to resolve the difficulties which stand in the way of any woman trying to perform to the best of her abilities."

"I understand that but you need to get a grip on yourself and face the reality." He nodded, clasping his hands together "Perhaps you should have a chat with Dr Lewis and listen to her experience dealing with this situation. The woman has had a lot of experience in this area. You may learn something from her."

Abby's eyes followed Anspaugh as he rose from his chair and walked across the room. He opened the door and gestured her to leave. "Meeting dismissed"

Abby arched her brows at the abrupt ending to their discussion. She rose to her feet, headed out of the room and stopped in the doorway.

"What is it Dr Lockhart?" Anspaugh frowned as he watched her turn to face him.

"I have concerns, concerns about the state of the children's health at an orphanage on Devon Avenue"

He shook his head. "Not now, I have a meeting to attend to. I have great concerns with the endemics in this city. I do have priorities; perhaps you can give me a copy of your report and maybe we can discuss it later"

Abby gave a quick nod, "Yes sir," and headed back to the ER.