A.N.: Writing through a writer's block isn't as easy as it sounds. And, of course, there's the problem of being into something else at the moment, so my mind keeps wandering. Maybe I'll start pumping myself up with Invader Zim, in hopes of defeating the evil Writer's Block. Anyway, here is my attempt at a chapter.
When Red stumbled out of his room the next morning, Purple was already awake, washing what few dishes Red had. Red made his way to the sink, intent on getting some liquid out of the tap. Purple stared at him.
"Uh, Red, are you all right?" he asked. It was Red's turn to stare at Purple.
"No, I'm still sick," he drawled.
"Still?" Purple asked. Red was quiet for a moment, staring at him in confusion.
"Don't you remember coming to my room last night while I was choking?" he countered, turning fully to face Purple. Purple did likewise, blankly staring at Red. Suddenly, his eyes lit up in understanding.
"Oh," he said. "I remember. I thought it was a dream."
"You thought it was a dream?" Red exclaimed. He crossed his arms. Purple shrugged with an air of helplessness.
"I worked with Senator Kejin for so long that, after a while, I didn't need to fully wake up when he needed something at night," he explained.
"But that was at Kejin's place. You just moved into this apartment," Red commented in an incredulous voice.
"Not always. We stayed in hotels a lot when he traveled. I got very used to navigating strange rooms in the dark while half asleep," Purple explained.
"You've had that job WAY too long," Red concluded, shaking his head. Bending over and looking under the sink, he pulled out a small bucket.
"What's that for?" Purple asked, indicating the bucket.
"There's a mess on the floor from last night. I should clean it up," Red answered, beginning to fill the bucket.
"You're sick. You should be resting. I'll clean it," Purple objected.
"No, you've done enough. I'll clean it.," Red argued, shaking his head. Purple took the bucket out of his hand.
"I know more about taking care of sick people than you do. You are going to sit down while I clean up the mess," he said in a worried tone.
"Good grief, when did YOU become so bossy?" Red muttered, too tired to keep arguing. He let himself be herded towards the couch.
"Stop arguing. Your sick," Purple answered. Moments later, Red was falling asleep again on the couch and Purple was cleaning the floor in the bedroom.
When Purple came back out, he found Red asleep. Leaving him, Purple went to a computer terminal on the wall opposite the couch. He turned it on and punched in a number. "May I help you?" the receptionist asked, looking at the paperwork on her desk rather than the screen. She was a pretty, small, dark green eyed irkin.
"Yea, is Dr. Quert free anytime today?" Purple asked. The receptionist's eyes widened when she herd his voice, and she finally looked at the screen.
"Oh, hello, Purple. I'm sure we can work something out for the senator," she responded. Purple looked uncomfortable.
"Actually, I'm...not...working for him...anymore," he hedged uncertainly. "It's...it's someone else."
"Oh," the receptionist replied in surprise. "Well, I'll transfer you to Dr. Quert. One moment, please." She put him on hold. Light, soft music filled the apartment as Purple waited for her to pick up again. A few minutes later, the music stopped and Dr. Quert, a medium-height, chubby irkin, came into view.
"Good morning, Purple. What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I need you to make a house visit," Purple answered, already knowing what his answer would be.
"I'm really busy, today, Purple." Purple sighed.
"It's for the next Tallest," he answered bluntly, somewhat annoyed. Dr. Quert's eyes widened, and he started fidgeting.
"Oh, well, I can, um, clear off some stuff. I'll, uh, be there in an hour," he answered, discomfort coloring his voice and face.
"Thanks," Purple drawled, giving the address and hanging up.
Red was rather rudely awakened by the doorbell ringing. "Go away," he mumbled, pulling the pillow over his head. Someone took it away. Emerging from the blanket, he discovered Purple standing over him. The doorbell rang again.
"Wake up, Red. The doctor's here," he said, heading for the door, taking the pillow with him. Red scowled at that.
"What doctor?" Red asked, sitting up with a confused expression on his face.
"Dr. Quert. He's a respiratory specialist. I asked him to come take a look at you," Purple answered, opening the door. "Dr. Quert, thank you for coming."
"Well, it's about time. I don't have all day. Where's the patient?" Dr. Quert asked impatiently, looking around. He spotted Red immediately. His annoyed face and impatient tone quickly changed to one of revered respect. "Hello, Sir, what seems to be the problem?"
Red started to give an annoyed, biting response, but Purple shot him a pleading look. "Well, I'm having trouble breathing. I have chest pain, and cough a lot," Red answered instead, glaring at the doctor.
"What kind of chest pain?" Dr. Quert asked, taking out a scanner with two small prods sticking out. Sticking it against Red's back, he said, "Take some deep breaths."
"Uh, it feels like squeezing, mostly," Red responded, breathing like Dr. Quert told him to. The doctor moved the instrument to different positions.
"Hm, I can hear a rattling," he commented. He put that instrument away and took out one with a needle attached. "Give me a finger." When Red held out a finger, he took a drop of blood on the needle, which sucked it into the instrument. "Phlegm?"
"Uh, yea, a lot," Red responded. The instrument beeped.
"Okay, it looks like you have yuik," Dr. Quert announced, looking at the instrument.
"And, what's that?" Red asked.
"It's a respiratory disease. It doesn't take long to cure, but it can be serious. I'll send you the medicine for it over this afternoon. You might want to have someone stay with you," Dr. Quert responded.
"Excuse me?" Red burst out, unable to hold back any more. "Purple is standing right over there, you know. He's NOT invisible."
"I regret, I must get going," Dr. Quert excused himself, looking around and wringing his hands. He looked everywhere but at Purple. He went for the door as quickly as he could without actually running.
"Hey! Come back here!" Red shouted, getting up and trying to go after him. The door closed in his face.
"It's not worth it, let it go," Purple mumbled, a blush running up his face.
"But he just TOTALLY dissed you!" Red exclaimed.
"Yea, I know," Purple muttered, tears pricking his eyes.
"WHY do you put up with shit like that?" Red asked, nodding towards the door. A sudden wave of dizziness and coughing forced him back down onto the couch.
"I have to," Purple answered, helping him to the couch. "Senator Kejin likes people who will go out of their way for him, and they like the status of having Senator Kejin's business. Everyone either ignores me or tries to make things difficult for me."
"Well, that's going to stop RIGHT NOW. If anyone bothers you, you tell me and I'll punch their lights out," Red growled tiredly, falling asleep again. He didn't see Purple crying.