Sleeping In
"We've been a bit worried about Mr. Murdock today, Dr. Peterson, but you're welcome to try to talk to him."
Worried about him? Try to talk to him? Face fought to remain calm. "Yes; well, I would like to get on with this as soon as possible."
"Right this way."
She opened the door for him, and he immediately spotted Murdock. He was lying in bed, completely motionless, having somehow managed to wrap all of his blankets tightly around him.
He barely registered the click of the door shutting behind him as he practically ran to Murdock's side.
"Murdock, are you okay? Murdock? Murdock?"
"That's my name, Faceman, don't wear it out." The blanket pile shifted, and Murdock grinned out at him.
Face sighed in relief. "What are you doing?"
"Well, one of the nurses was telling us about butterflies…"
Oh boy. "You're in a cocoon?"
"Yup! Just waiting for my wings to grow and then I can bust out of here on my own and fly away."
"Murdock, we have to leave now."
"But what if my wings are about to appear, and if I get out now they won't show up?"
Think quickly – How to get him to leave? "Uh, caterpillars… have to eat lots of plants before they can turn into butterflies."
Murdock blinked. Thought about it. Smiled. "I forgot about that part! Thanks, Face!"
He squirmed out of his 'cocoon' and followed Face out the door.
Murdock ate a lot of salad on that mission.