Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.
Ch. 15--Going Home
The day before, Wally had been sleeping most of the day. He had visited with Jack, Roxanne, Auto, and even Captain Boyd for a short while, but they hadn't stayed long when they saw him starting to doze off.
Today, he had been lightly dozing. His shoulder didn't really hurt him, but the pain medication the doctor prescribed had left him drowsy. There wasn't much for him to do in his room, so he found sleep to be preferable most of the time anyway. Today was the day he was supposed to be released from the hospital. He was looking forward to going home and sleeping in his own bed. He was also getting sick of waking up to see the same white, bland walls.
He was awake now and sitting up. They had removed the IV from his hand, so he was more freely able to move his right hand without having to worry about accidentally dislodging the IV tube. Using a remote for a TV hanging on the wall, he pointed the remote at the television absently flipping through the channels trying to find a channel which might even vaguely interest him. He let out a frustrated sigh and turned off the television. Looked like even watching television was out of the question. There didn't seem to be anything he was interested in watching on. He almost wished he had at least one of his VCR tapes to play, but there was no VCR in his room to play the tape anyway.
Through his tap into the security camera, Automan had seen how bored Walter was getting. He decided to rez up and keep Walter company until Walter was released. He asked the computer controlling the camera if it could loop the video footage so the camera wouldn't catch him materializing in Walter's room.
"Of course, Automan," replied the computer. It started looping the video footage.
A sudden shaking occurred in Wally's room as Automan materialized by drawing power from the hospital's disused secondary generators so as not to draw energy from any vital equipment. Wally was alerted to Automan's imminent arrival by the sudden shaking as well as the lights flashing and dimming. He saw Cursor appear first. "Good morning, Cursor," said Wally. Cursor hovered near the foot of the bed. Automan started materializing at the foot of the bed.
After Auto fully materialized, he greeted Walter. "Good morning, Walter."
"Good morning, Auto," greeted Wally with pleasant surprise as well as some confusion. "What are you doing here so early?"
"You looked like you could use some company," replied Auto smiling.
"Okay, but Dr. Tyler or a nurse come to evaluate my condition every four hours. You might want to change into something a little less conspicuous."
"Cursor," commanded Auto. Cursor appeared and quickly rezzed up a white shirt, black tie, black pants, and black business jacket over Auto's body. Shortly after the clothing materialized on Automan's body, the computer controlling the video surveillance camera released the video looping. Auto gave Wally a nonverbal gesture as if to say "Well?"
"Nice," replied Wally.
"I know a game we can play together that will keep us occupied."
"A game?" asked Wally. He was unsure what Auto was referring to.
"Yes. Don't worry. I am certain you'll find it to be thoroughly entertaining," Auto reassured Wally as he came closer to the right side of Wally's bed.
"Okay," replied Wally hesitantly as he moved his legs so Auto could sit on the foot of the bed. He wasn't certain he wanted to play any game against Automan as Auto himself had started out as a game. Auto would have an unfair advantage over him in any game.
"Cursor," ordered Auto before sitting on the foot of the bed.
Cursor rezzed up a semi-opaque holographic screen between Automan and Walter. He, then, rezzed up two joystick controllers on either side of the holographic screen--one near Auto and the other near Wally. Auto's controller was made to be used with two hands. Cursor had modified Walter's controller so he could work it with his one uninhibited hand.
Auto quickly explained to Wally the objective of the game and how to play the game. Before long, they were absorbed in playing the game. Automan, who knew the game better, was winning more often, but he had restricted his reflex time to human standards to give Walter a chance to possibly beat him once in a while. (It would be no fun for Walter playing the game if he constantly lost.) Wally was quickly learning the game and was starting to give Auto a challenge. To his surprise, Wally found himself actually enjoying the game. Hours went past without them noticing. Before long, it was time for Dr. Tyler to check on Wally's progress.
Dr. Tyler stepped into the doorway of Nebicher's room to check on the progress of his patient, who was improving exceptionally well, when he paused in the doorway with a slight smile on his face. Nebicher's federal friend and he were engrossed in playing some holographic game together. Neither seemed to notice his presence. Both had amused smiles on their faces as they competed against each other. Dr. Tyler walked further into the room. Nebicher was the first one to notice his arrival.
Wally looked to the door when he saw someone walk into the room. Cursor quickly de-rezzed the screen and controls. "Hi, Dr. Tyler. You remember Agent Mann?" asked Wally.
"Of course," replied Dr. Tyler. Mann stood up, turned to face Dr. Tyler, and shook hands with him. "I've never seen a game like that," continued Dr. Tyler. "What was it?"
"Oh, just a game Agent Mann knew of," replied Wally vaguely.
"Well, whatever game it was, it looked like you two were enjoying it. I came to check on your progress. If everything checks out, you'll be released today."
"Great."
Dr. Tyler took Wally's blood pressure, heart rate, pulse and temperature making notes on Wally's patient record as he went along. He took a quick blood sample. "Well, so far so good. How's your shoulder feeling?"
Wally became conscious of the fact that he had become so engrossed in playing the game against Auto, he hadn't really thought much about his shoulder at all. He took a couple of seconds to respond to the doctor.
"Is everything all right?" asked Dr. Tyler with some concern when Wally didn't answer him right away.
Wally realized he hadn't answered the doctor's first question. "Yes. I guess I got so wrapped up in the game we were playing; I just realized I hadn't really thought much about how my shoulder feels," replied Wally with a slightly embarrassed look. He paused contemplating how his shoulder felt. "I guess it feels all right. No major pain."
"Good. Now, if your electrolytes have improved close enough to normal levels, I'll get the paperwork for your release started."
"That really is good news," said Auto. He and Wally shared a heartening smile between them.
"Well, I need to get this blood sample to the lab. I'll be back with the results and hopefully your release papers," said Dr. Tyler to Wally. He turned to Mann. "It was nice meeting you again, Agent Mann." Dr. Tyler saw Agent Mann nod in return before he left the room on his way to the lab.
A few seconds later, Jack and Roxanne walked into the room. "Hi, Wally, Agent Mann," greeted Roxanne. She went to the right side of Wally's bed. Automan moved back a step to allow Roxanne access to Walter's bed. Wally carefully slid over in the bed to make room for Roxanne to sit down on the bed next to him, and she delicately sat down on the bed next to Wally edging closer to him. She tenderly took his right hand in hers and absently, gently stroked the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Hi, Wally. Well, hello, Agent Mann," greeted Jack as he stepped into the room. He went to the left side of Wally's bed. "We just saw the doctor come out of the room. Is everything all right?"
"Yeah, it was just a routine progress check," reassured Wally. "He said that if my electrolytes have improved close enough to normal levels, I'll be able to go home today." He looked down at the regular hospital gown he was wearing. He also knew that most of his previous outfit was probably ruined by all the blood and added, "I'll need a change of clothes."
"I'll get it," offered Auto. He left Walter's room looking for an unoccupied room. When he found one, he quickly ducked into the empty room. He swiftly looked around the area to make certain no one was there before he disappeared from the brief sanctuary.
Auto reappeared in Walter's apartment. He went to Walter's dresser and pulled out Walter's favorite striped red, white, and blue cotton, button down shirt, a pair of black corduroy pants, a pair of shorts, socks, and white tennis shoes. He ordered, "Cursor."
Cursor appeared and rezzed up a small black overnight sack. Auto put Walter's change of clothing in the bag. Just before he left the apartment with the clothing, Auto also grabbed Walter's tan jacket from the chair Walter had draped it over in the living room.
On the street, Automan commanded, "Cursor, the Autocar." Cursor appeared and quickly line-drew the Autocar on the street in front of Auto. Auto climbed into the car and headed back to the hospital.
Auto passed a uniformed police officer, who nodded to him, before Auto headed into Walter's room with the small overnight bag and the jacket. Captain Boyd was in the room also standing on the left side of Walter's bed. "Hello, Captain," greeted Auto as he stepped into the room to the foot of Walter's bed.
"Agent Mann," returned the captain.
Auto turned his attention to Walter. "I have your change of clothes." He held up the small black overnight sack with the clothing in it and Walter's jacket.
"Great. Thanks, Agent Mann. The captain had told me the gunman's real name is Jordan Sanders, a professional hit man who Interpol has been after for years."
"Thanks to your encounter with him and his subsequent arrest," Captain Boyd continued the conversation. "Interpol is re-opening other assassinations/murders that Sanders is also suspected to have perpetrated. He will definitely face trial here for his attempted murder of you two. Interpol is going to try for the death penalty."
"Personally, I would have preferred a much less painful way of encountering him," said Wally with a grin glancing meaningfully at his injured shoulder. Everyone chuckled at his statement.
Moments later, Dr. Tyler came into Wally's room. He paused at seeing so many visitors gathered around Wally's bed. "Whoa, full house," he commented.
Everyone turned to him and grinned.
Wally noticed the papers secured to a clipboard with a pen fastened to the top of the clipboard held in Dr. Tyler's left hand. The doctor also had some pills in a plastic cup in his right hand. He suspected the papers were his release papers. He was about to get out of here! "Well, Doctor, how were the lab results? Am I going to be released?"
"Well, your electrolytes are on the low side of normal, so I'm prescribing three days of rest." At Wally's disappointed look, Dr. Tyler added, "At home. Looks like you've also developed a mild systemic infection. You have a low-grade fever."
Everyone gave him a concerned look. Jack was the first one to ask, "Wally has a fever?"
"Don't worry. It's only a very mild fever," reassured Dr. Tyler. "We caught it in time before it could get any worse. I'm prescribing a dose of Tylenol, which will bring down the fever. I am also prescribing a strong, broad-based antibiotic to combat the infection itself, however one of the side effects of the antibiotic is mild drowsiness. I am also prescribing some pain medication for your shoulder. The pain medication is to be taken as needed and only after you have finished taking the antibiotic, however one of the side-effects of the pain medication is mild drowsiness. So, only take it if you don't plan on doing any driving or operating any heavy equipment. The antibiotic lasts for three days and needs to be taken once a day. That is the other reason I am prescribing three days rest. I want you to take these right now." He handed the plastic cup containing the pills to Wally. "They're the Tylenol--to bring down your fever--and the first dosage of the antibiotic. "
Wally released Roxanne's hand and took the plastic cup. Roxanne took a glass sitting on the table to Wally's right and poured a glass of water from a pitcher sitting on the table to Wally's right. She handed Wally the glass of water. He gave her a grateful nod before swallowing the pills then the water. He handed the glass back to Roxanne, who replaced it on the table. He handed the plastic cup back to the doctor.
Dr. Tyler turned to Captain Boyd. "Captain, Mr. Nebicher will need to remain on light duty for at least two weeks until his shoulder is stronger." Wally gave a disappointed pout at that news knowing it would mean he would be relegated to the computer room at the station for the two weeks. He had fought so hard to get the captain to let him out on the streets more often, and the captain had even started letting him handle his own cases. Now it looked like he would have to fight for that same responsibility all over again, even harder this time.
Captain Boyd nodded in acknowledgement.
Dr. Tyler turned back to Wally. "As soon as you sign these release forms, I can get them processed right away and you'll be able to go home." He handed the clipboard to Wally.
Wally nodded and took the forms. He placed the clipboard on his lap and skimmed over the papers soon realizing the doctor had circled the areas Wally needed to sign. Roxanne held the clipboard in place, while Wally signed in the appropriate areas before handing the clipboard back to the doctor.
"I see Agent Mann has brought you a change of clothing," said Dr. Tyler referring to Mann and the small, black overnight bag and jacket he was holding. "What we've been able to salvage of your other outfit is in this bag." He pointed to a small plastic bag on the floor next to the table to the left of the bed. "I'll get these forms processed and be back with a wheelchair, the rest of the antibiotics, and the pain medication shortly. That should give you enough time to get changed."
"Thank you, Dr. Tyler," replied Wally. He saw the doctor nod just before leaving the room.
Wally carefully shifted his position in the bed swinging his legs over the left side of the bed. He leaned forward, placed his right hand on the edge of the bed, and stood nearly falling as he promptly lost his balance. Jack shot out a hand to steady him.
"Wally?" asked Jack concerned.
"Just stood up a little too fast. I'll be okay," replied Wally a little embarrassed.
"Well, seeing how you're having trouble standing, why don't I help you get dressed?" offered Auto with a slight grin on his face.
"Funny," replied Wally with a look towards Auto that silently said "I am not amused.". He paused. With his bum shoulder, he just might need help getting dressed. "All right."
"Here, let me help you to the bathroom," said Auto seriously.
Wally nodded, and Auto came towards the left side of the bed. Auto offered his left arm, and Wally grabbed on carefully shifting his body so he faced the bathroom. Together they carefully made their way to the lavatory.
After ten minutes, they came out of the bathroom with Wally dressed in his tan jacket over top of his favorite plaid red, white, and blue cotton, button down shirt with the top two buttons undone, a pair of black corduroy pants, white socks, and white tennis shoes. With Auto's help, Wally made it back to the bed. He carefully lowered himself onto the bed sitting on the edge.
Roxanne stood up and went to the left side of the bed sitting on the edge close to Wally's right side. He took her hand in his. She noticed the slightly tired look on Wally's face and leaned towards him to get his attention. She quietly asked with some concern, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired," reassured Wally almost as quietly. "It's probably from the antibiotics."
Dr. Tyler came back into the room guiding a wheelchair into the room. "The paperwork is all set. You're free to go." Jack, Auto, and the captain made room for the doctor and the wheelchair as the doctor brought the wheelchair closer to the left side of the bed near Wally. He locked the wheelchair into place and folded up the foot plates. "Let me help you get into the wheelchair."
Wally nodded to the doctor before he let go of Roxanne's hand. The doctor carefully supported Walter by holding Wally's right arm as Wally cautiously stood heedful of what happened the last time he had tried to stand. He stood still for a few seconds waiting for a slight wave of dizziness to pass. When it did finally pass, Wally carefully shifted his position and lowered himself into the wheelchair. Once Walter was safely in the wheelchair, Dr. Tyler let go of Wally's right arm. He took two small prescription bottles out of the right pocket of his hospital smock and handed them to Walter. "These are the last two pills of the antibiotic and the pain medication." He again sternly reminded Walter, "Remember, I want you to take it easy for the next three days. No strenuous activities. And don't take the pain medication until after you've finished the antibiotics. If the pain in your shoulder becomes too much, you can take Tylenol with the antibiotics, but nothing stronger than that. Understand?"
"Yes, Doctor," replied Wally. He put the two bottles in his right jacket pocket.
The doctor nodded at Wally's acknowledgement. He left the room.
Jack approached the back of the wheelchair. Wally also saw Roxanne stand in preparation to leave. She bent down and picked up the small plastic bag on the floor near the table and carefully placed it in Wally's lap. Wally felt Jack unlock the brakes on the chair while still maintaining a firm grip on the handles. "Let's get out of here, huh?" stated Jack, his voice coming from directly behind Wally.
Wally smiled and gave a vigorous nod of affirmation.