Rick Gorham is shocked by the ill man lying on the bed, he can't even tell what his diagnosis is. According to the file he's holding, his name is Frank Jooby, and he lives outside the city. Rick is here to check his vital signs, and hopefully find out what the issue is. He takes out a thermometer, sticks it into Frank's mouth, and waits for the result. Once he removes it from his patient's mouth, Rick is surprised by how high Frank's temperature is. He has a fever. Rick takes out his stethoscope and listens to Frank's heart, it is slowly beating.
"Mr. Jooby, when did you start feeling sick?" he asks.
"It happened right after breakfast. I had an omelet with mushrooms that I had picked out from the woods behind my home." Frank explains in a low, throaty voice.
"Those mushrooms you ate were probably poisonous. Do you know what kind they were?" Ricks asks, before Frank slowly shakes his head.
"I'll be right back. Dr. Mecklin will be with you shortly." Rick tells him, before he leaves the room.
Rick is overwhelmed by the number of patients today that seem to have been sickened by the same unidentified mushroom, not to mention he doesn't know a thing about fungi. He'll need to ask George Mecklin to cover Frank Jooby for him, if he isn't already busy with someone else. He finds George talking to Tobias Johnson, his superior.
"Excuse me, George. I've got another patient feeling sick from mushrooms, and since you know more about fungi than me, would you mind covering him for me?" Rick politely asks.
"Damn it, Rick!" This is the third time today!" George replies. "But I'll go take a look."
As George leaves, Rick looks to Tobias, who is just as annoyed as George.
"Gorham, I understand you aren't enthusiastic about fungi, but you can't keep relying on other doctors to take care of patients that are assigned to you." Tobias explains.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Johnson. But this is just too much for me, and I'm sure we're all feeling exhausted from these people sharing the same illness." Rick says.
"Indeed, no doubt about it." Tobias says, agreeing with his statement. "We just sent Dr. Cabot to collect those mushrooms from the forest so they can be studied. Not even Goerge can figure out what species it is."
"Rick, you have a call!" says Susan Birks down the hall.
Rick walks over to the phone she's at, as Susan hands it to him and leaves.
"Rick?" says the voice of Natalie, his wife.
"What is it, dear?" he asks.
"I just wanted to call you and see how you're doing." Natalie responds.
"Fine. We have a lot of patients today; I might even have to stay late."
"I guess you'll miss out on dinner then."
"Looks like I'll go hungry tonight."
"You poor thing. By the way, have you given more thought to my question?"
Rick is stunned, hesitant to tell her that he hasn't made a decision, whether they should have a baby. They've been married for five years, and Natalie thought it was about time they had a child. But Rick isn't so sure about her suggestion, he feels that he wouldn't make a good father. Raising a kid is tough.
"Sorry, but I will try to think about it, I promise." he assures her. "I have to go, talk to you later."
"Love you!" Natalie says, before Rick hangs up.
Once he eventually gets home, he is going to tell his wife that they won't be having a baby. Natalie is obviously going to be upset, but it's his final decision. Some couples just aren't meant to have children.