Asylum Chapter 5
*Kane/Rick*
"You want a shower John." The orderly asked. "We can probably get you some clothes that will fit better too."
Why they didn't pick bigger clothes to begin with is beyond me. Rick thought, seeing that the shirt was already torn in the shoulders and collar.
No Kane said shaking his head. Not if it's gonna be like my last 'shower' Kane thought.
"Why not?" Rick asked.
Would you want to be hosed down like an animal? Kane thought looking at Rick.
"Well you haven't had one and you've been her two days. It's time you had one." Rick said, heading toward an area Kane hadn't seen before.
"We'll just get you some clothes first." Rick said moving to a closet.
I said I don't want a shower. Kane thought. And I only had a hose down yesterday I don't want another one today.
"Well I don't think these will fit either but they should fit better than what you have." Rick said pulling out the largest set of sweats they had.
I don't want a shower. Kane thought pulling away when the orderly began to guide him again.
"Listen, you need a shower and you're going to take one." The orderly said sternly.
If you say I have to then I refuse you'll only get more guys. Kane thought aggravated that he was being forced into doing things he didn't want to because he couldn't fight back.
I guess I don't have a choice. Kane said moving once again when the orderly tried to lead him.
Here we go again. Kane thought as he was led to the exact same room he'd been in the day before.
"I'll just put these on the bench." The orderly said. "You go in there and shower. Just pull the chain and hook it to the wall. You'll see where. I'm afraid we only have one temperature of water so you can't scald yourself."
Take a look buddy do you think I want to scald myself. I've been through burning don't ever want to do that again. Kane thought surprised the guy hadn't noticed the scars. Did he think I got them from hot water?
He's telling me to shower myself. He's not going to hose me down? Kane was confused for a moment and didn't move.
"Go on." The orderly said.
Ok Kane thought, beginning to strip down.
I wonder why he is so reluctant to get into the shower. Rick thought. Unless something happened to him in a shower once.
This is much better Kane thought as the tepid spray washed over him. A little cool for my tastes but better than the temp yesterday.
Where is the soap? Kane wondered looking around when he was sufficiently wet. Then he saw a dispenser on the wall. Is this the soap and shampoo? He wondered reading the front of it.
I guess so since there is only one dispenser. He thought pressing the button to get enough to wash his hair.
This is gonna take forever he decided when he had to add yet more soap to his hair.
"Don't take all day in there." He heard the orderly call.
I better hurry this up. Kane thought, beginning to rinse his hair. That will have to be good enough. He decided when he'd gotten the soap out.
Just a little more soap and I can wash up real quick. Kane thought, hitting the dispenser again.
There done. Kane thought, moving out toward the orderly and his towel.
"You gotta make your showers quick around here because we have a lot of people to get showered here." The orderly said.
No problem. Kane thought. But why not do more than one at once.
Kane dried off quickly and began to dress.
"All set?" the orderly asked once he was dressed.
Yes Kane nodded.
"John.." the orderly started.
Not John. Kane interrupted him by tapping him on the shoulder.
"What is it John." The orderly asked.
I'm not John. Kane thought hoping to get the point across by looking at the orderly.
Well that didn't work. He thought pointing to himself and then shaking his head no.
"You not what John" the orderly asked.
Not john. Kane thought shaking his head again.
"ARE you trying to tell me you're not John?" the orderly asked.
Yes! Kane nodded emphatically.
"Well if you're not a John Doe why don't you tell me your name." the orderly said.
I would love to. Kane thought miming writing.
"I'm sorry but I can't give you a pen. They are not allowed on the floor because of safety reasons." The orderly said.
Then how the hell am I supposed to communicate. Give me paper I'll write in blood. Kane thought getting pissed.
"Hey take it easy. I'll talk to the doctor and see what I can work out." The orderly said. "I'm Rick by the way."
Nice to meet you Rick. Kane thought putting out his hand to shake Rick's.
This guy is not what they put in the reports. Rick thought shaking Kane's hand.
"We've got to get you fed." Rick said, taking Kane's arm again.
Good I'm starved. Kane thought, knowing if this meal was like the last it wouldn't fill him much.
"Right this way." Rick said, leading Kane toward the kitchen area he'd been in the night before.
Where are we going? Kane thought as he was led not to the kitchen but to a small room nearby.
"You need to stay in here while I get your tray." Rick said. "Can I trust you to stay here or do I need another orderly to watch you?"
I'll stay. Kane thought pointing to himself then the room.
"Good I'll be right back." Rick said closing the door on his way out.
Why are they having me eat apart from everyone else? Kane wondered. Are they afraid I'll do something to someone?
"Here we go." Rick said bringing in the tray of food.
Again there isn't much here. A child could be full on this but I'm no child. Kane thought, looking at the small portion of food.
A small box of cereal, a pint of milk, two eggs and two wedges of toast. Kane took inventory of his food. What diet do they think I'm on. Do they not realize that this is only a snack for me.
"What's the matter." Rick asked, looking at Kane staring at the food. "Are you allergic to something there."
No Kane shook his head just hungry. Kane thought.
When Kane had finished his cereal he dipped his finger in the remaining milk and tried to write his name in milk on the table.
"What are you doing?" Rick asked.
Just watch. Kane said looking at him then down at the table.
"Ok, that's a word you're trying to say something. Is it your name?" Rick asked.
Nodding Kane went over the letters again.
I should have used the cereal to spell with. Kane realized, wishing he'd thought of it sooner.
"Do it one more time." Rick said watching Kane's hand closely.
Ok. Kane thought at least he's trying to get it.
"Ok, are you spelling Kane." Rick asked.
Yes, Kane thought nodding wildly.
"Good, is that the first or last name?" Rick asked.
First Kane thought holding up one finger.
A knock on the door startled them both.
"I'll just be a minute." Rick said getting up.
"He needs to go back to his room if he's done." Matt said.
"Sure thing Matt." Rick said.
"Sorry buddy." Rick said, "Supervisor says you have to go back to your room."
Not yet. Kane thought I'm finally getting through to someone.
No Kane shook his head pointing to the table.
"No," Rick said. "It's time to go. I'll talk to your doctor about you knowing your name."
I don't want to go back to that damn cell. Kane thought getting up quickly.
"Chill out." Rick said, jumping back a little. "We need to go."
I don't want to get him in any trouble. Kane decided he's the only one who's been decent to me yet. Kane nodded and went to stand beside him.
"Good." Rick said taking his arm.
Hell Kane thought he's the only one who's even introduced himself to me. Kane realized as they walked back to the cell.
Home again. Kane thought as Rick opened the cell and walked him in.
*Rick/Dr Whalen*
"Come in." Rick heard after he knocked on the door.
"Sorry to bother you Dr Whalen. But your John Doe claims to know his name. He wrote it in milk on the table. It's Kane."
Oh no, he's managed to communicate. I have to nip this in the bud.
"I think he's mute." Rick continued. "He mimed writing then used his milk to write on the table."
"Ok, I'll look into it. But I think the other hospital would have told me if he was mute." Dr Whalen said.
"The other hospital?" Rick said questioningly.
"Yes he came from another hospital out of state." Dr Whalen said.
"Oh, I guess they would have told you then. I just wanted to make sure he could communicate." Rick said, turning to go.
He's got to go. Dr Whalen thought but how do I get him transferred off this floor without looking suspicious.
"Before I go should I call him what he wants or just keep calling him John." Rick asked.
"Call him whatever he wants. That will help him feel comfortable and maybe he'll start talking." Dr Whalen said.
*Kane*
Well at least now someone knows my name. Kane thought. I hope he passes it around.
I'll have to try again with my last name tomorrow. Kane thought.
If I can give him one word a day I can get him to understand this is a setup. Maybe he can help me get out of here. Kane thought beginning to unconsciously pace the floor.
*Rick*
I wonder why he keeps his head down. Is he intentionally trying to hide his face? Rick thought as he put the big man back in his room.
He seems calm enough to me. Why is he still in isolation? He thought.
He's scarred according to Andrew. But how badly. Why would he wear a mask I've seen burn victims before and they don't hide like this guy does. Rick thought, beginning to wonder about the contradictions he was seeing in Kane.
Maybe I should ask the Dr Whalen if we can get him out of isolation. Rick thought. No he's probably there for good reason. After all he did take out Andrew yesterday and it took five guys to subdue him. Can't have that happening in the common room.
He even seems agitated now. Rick thought looking into Kane's room through the window.
He's pacing like he's angry.
*Kane*
I need to get out of here. Need to find some way to tell someone that this is a setup that I was never found incompetent and they can't keep me here without cause.
But how crazy will I sound if I start spouting setup to them. They probably won't believe me. How would I prove it? Kane thought continuing to pace. I've got to find a way. Because this time there is no one out there trying to get me out. Not like last time when Paul was at least trying to get me home. I have no home now and no one who cares enough to look for me.
DAMN IT! Kane thought punching the wall.
That actually felt good like hitting the heavy bag. Kane thought punching it again.
*Rick*
What is that? Rick thought trying to follow the sound.
Thud thud thud.
Oh shit! Rick thought looking through Kane's window. He's really upset. I wonder if I should tell someone.
No I'll talk to him first. Rick thought nervously.
Opening the door slightly Rick looked in again. Then he warily opened it all the way.
"Kane." Rick said. But got no reaponse.
"Kane!" Rick repeated louder. Still no response.
If he doesn't knock that off someone else is gonna notice and he'll be in here even longer. Rick thought, moving into the room.
"KANE!" Rick practically shouted.
*Kane*
Whirling around Kane looked at the person yelling.
Oh it's Rick. Kane realized. Disoriented after suddenly being broken out of his rhythm.
"Stop that!" Rick said.
Why? Kane wondered, it feels good to finally hit something.
"If you keep doing that you'll never get out of isolation." Rick said.
Shit I didn't think of that. Kane realized. That must look really bad like. Violent.
"Better. You need to stay calm if you want out of isolation." Rick said.
Ok Kane thought nodding at Rick.
*Andrew*
"What were you doing in the padded room?" Andrew asked.
"Just checking up." Rick said. "I thought I heard him knocking on the window."
"Was he?" Andrew asked snidely.
"No he was punching the wall like it was a punching bag." Rick said, deciding honesty was probably best.
"You should have gotten backup before you went in there." Andrew said. "That John Doe is too big to mess with alone."
"He's not a John do any more." Rick said. "His name is Kane."
"And how do you know that?" Andrew asked.
"He wrote it this morning in milk on the table. Dr Whalen said to go ahead and call him that if that's what he wants to be called." Rick told Andrew.
"Kane eh. Well ok I guess I can call him that." Andrew said.
So his name is Kane. Andrew thought. His name is as weird as he is.