You Can't NOBAC Again, Chapter 3

By Simahoyo

In the air over Ontario

I was on the phone, heading to NORBAC for a job interview. I caught myself playing with the ring on my left hand ring finger. I don't know how many generations of Armstrongs wore it, but the patina was deep and the sixpence was worn.

I thought back to the look on Jack's face the day before I left. I knew something was going on with him–and since it was too soon for me to accept a proposal, I was really relieved when he took out this ring and, well, he honestly looked frightened.

"Maura, with you thinking of leaving, I just wanted to let you know how much I'll miss you, because if this Sandstrom guy doesn't hire you, the man is too stupid to live."

I opened my mouth, and then realized it would be a good time to stay silent.

Jack showed me the ring. "It's old and battered, but it's got a story to tell. My ancestors came to this country as indentured servants in the early 1700's. To mark his servants, the master put a sixpence in their ears. After seven years they were supposed to get some of the master's land–and of course, he never gave it to them, but he let them keep the sixpence, so Elijah Armstrong to where the land was cheap and money was rare and bought land with that sixpence. He always said, 'No matter how bad things get, good things can happen.' You are the best thing to happen to me in a long time. Will you wear this and think of me while you are gone?"

I lost Ian and gained Jack. Now I was hoping to help the forgotten people of West Africa. Jane would say my life had more ups and downs than an elevator.

Toronto, Canada

The other doctors had gathered at Bob's station because they knew the mysterious Dr. Isles would have to walk past them. They hadn't been able to tear Carlos away from his research, but they expected him any second. At ten fifty, the doors opened and a beautiful blonde woman walked past. She was dressed in designer clothing. Rachel had seen plenty of courtier clothing as a congressman's wife. The click of her high heels, elegant purse and briefcase all added to the impression.

As she went up the stairs to David's office, Mayko muttered, "Well, she's hired." Rachel nodded her agreement. "Thank's a given." At that point Carlos joined them.

Bob looked at them quizzically. "I felt nervousness–just a little, a tiny bit of anger, and a lot of determination." The four doctors exchanged grins. "Maybe David has finally met his match.", said Carlos.

When he heard the knock at his door, David opened it, and his eyes widened in appreciation. "Wow, I hope to hell you're Dr. Isles." And Maura offered her hand.

"Yes, you must be Dr. Sandstrom. I assume I'm on time."

David motioned her into his office, moved some files and offered her the now empty chair. Maura was looking at the blackboard.

"That's a variant of Avian Flue."

"Yes, it struck the Aleutian Islands."

She frowned slightly. "Isn't there a major push to end the Ebola crisis?""Yes, but we have a US Congressman who has a lot of piddely projects for us instead."

She opened her purse and started taking notes on a little memo pad. "Which Congressman?"

"Carlton Riddlemeyer, undersecretary of the House Science and Technology Committee."

"Ah, speak to the Committee chair, La Mar Smith. Just don't let his get you to discuss climate change. Point out that Riddelmeyer is undermining his authority."

"You know your way around the US Government?"

"Not really. I have a nearly photographic memory. And my father is a newsman."

David gave her a thumbs up, grinning. "I like your CV. What would you do to get things started to keep Ebola from spreading further that it had already."

Dr Isles thought for a second, then started to outline her plan. "At this point, we need to expand the medical personnel, because right now they average 2 doctors for 85,000 people in West Africa. I expect we can talk several countries except possibly the US into allowing medical students to count one year working on Ebola to be substituted for a year of one of their hospital rotations as interns.

When I read the charter for NORBAC, I noticed there is nothing that excludes other North America nations from joining. Grenada and Dominica have several medical schools, and those students might be persuaded to go to West Africa."

David's jaw dropped. "You read NORBAC's charter? I haven't even read the fucking thing. Anyway you're hired." He sat closer to her, looking into her eyes. She looked away. David reached out and touched her hand, then leaned forward. Closer and closer until she put her hand on his chest and gently pushed him away.

"I'm in a relationship."

"He's not here."

"I'm serious about him."

"Damn it to hell."

"I'm still hired?"

"Actually, I'm not authorized unless all three member nations vet you and agree with my choice."

"So, essentially, you lied."

"Misled you."

"Oh, that makes it perfectly alright."

"Yeah. Come on down and meet the people you'll hopefully be working with most of the time."

Bob's Work Station

By the time David brought Maura to Bob's workstation, even Bob looked. "Everyone, this is Dr. Maura Isles. If everything goes my way, she'll be our interim administrator and heading up the Ebola Project."

Mayko wiggled her eyebrows at Rachel. "Mayko is our best technology/computer expert, plus she's a whiz with tracking diseases geographically." Mayko waved and smiled.

"Rachel can make strands of DNA sit up and dance."

"Not really.", said Rachel. "Are you a Republican or a Democrat?"

A quizzical look crossed Maura's face. "Neither. Why?"

"My ex-husband will want to know some way to control you. Who did you vote for for President"

"My friend, Dr. Jill Stein. She's the one I agreed with."

"Oh good. He won't know quite what to do with you.", Rachel grinned.

"Oh hell, I almost forgot–French test..."David looked around the lab and yelled, "Who the hell speaks French–anybody?"

A short, black woman yelled back, "I do?"

"Good, I need somebody to give Dr. Isles her French test."

The woman joined them "What the hell was your name" said David.

"Dr. Du Roche."

"Yeah, well talk to her in French."

Dr. Du Roche shrugged one shoulder.

Êtes-vous sûr de que vouloir travailler avec lui ?

Je serai là uniquement pour 6 mois-et ma mère a son coeur sur moi ce faisant.

Je veux lutter contre le virus ebola, et avec ce travail, je peux faire plus que comme un médecin en Afrique de l'Ouest. J'ai aussi perdu un ami cher à ebola-il fut médecin avec MSF.

Oh, je comprends.

(Shit. Are you sure you want to work with him?"

"I'll only be here for 6 months–and my mother has her heart set on me doing this. I want to fight Ebola, and with this job, I can do more than as one doctor in West Africa. I also lost a dear friend to Ebola–he was a doctor with MSF."

"Ah, I understand.")