[Leus – Part 2]

November 6th, 2007

Approaching the clinic, it appears very modern and rather small.  It seems almost more like a modern art gallery than a clinic.  It has quite a bit of glass and modular-looking white blocks, reminiscent of an all-white tetrimino Tetris game with “JR Laboratories” in large letters above the door.  Ali parks the car close in the curiously ominous “subject parking” spot close to the entrance. 

As they enter the building a young and eager individual in a lab coat approaches them with a hurried pace.

“Leus,” the man approaching them starts, “you’re a little late, but that isn’t a worry.  If you wouldn’t mind, please follow me.”  The young man nods and to punctuate his sentence he turns around and heads back where he came, not requiring nor expecting a response.  Leus looks to Ali and with a mutual shrug, they follow the young man.

            “My name is Roland Hutchinson, I’ll be the your clinician for today.  If you have any questions feel free to ask me.”  In this small building it didn’t take them long to find the room they were heading for, and Roland stops his walking as he approaches the next door.

            “If you could step inside, please.” Roland asks at Leus, hurriedly.

            “I’d love to, Roland.” Leus responds in such a way as to almost verbally convey the eyes rolling towards the top of his head.  He then walks into the room. 

            The room, in respect to the small building, is also very small.  There’s a small sink on one wall, which faces the white leather examination chair.  The chair itself is similar to modern art, it is very reminiscent of the sort of chair one would find if they were getting a checkup from the dentist.  This particular chair, however, lacks the arm light overhead as well as the tools specific to a dentist.  It’s also quite modern looking and seems that the budget for this room was rather large, or the designer just had designed it with the intention of adding it to his or her resume.

            “Okay, I know you’ve gone through this a few times before, but I’d like you to please remove your shirt and remain calm.”  Roland says in a very rehearsed tone almost like the Miranda Rights one receives from a negatively destined conversation with law enforcement.  Leus complies, and stares at the ceiling lacking any particular literature, another step away from it’s overall look like an exam room at a dentist.

            “I’m not sure how much you were told about this appointment today, but I’ll give you a quick recap so that you know exactly what’s happening.”  Roland takes a deep breath, “Very recently we have made quite a few breakthroughs.  We’ve discovered that your condition resembles a mutated, no, accelerated form of Progeria.  It has some rather interesting differences, though.  For instance, both your ailment and Progeria affect your chromosomes.  They rapidly deteriorate in a way similar to the natural aging process.  A key difference, however, is that Progeria causes you to look like you’re rapidly aging, whereas your affliction seems to not have this affect, unless it’s not very pronounced.”

            Leus seems to keep his interest in the long winded oration of his physician, usually having gone about daydreaming and straight ignoring them.  It’s been a while, however, since he’s heard something that he hadn’t already been told.

            “Any questions so far?”

            “Yes, actually, have you figured out any sort of cure for it?”

            “Well, that’s why you’re here today.  We’ve got a new experimental prescription that we’d like for you to try.  We’re going to run the standard tests first, though, so we’re going to get started with that.  If you think of any questions, feel free to ask.”  Roland than begins standard tests, checking his blood pressure, drawing blood, and listening to his heart. After completing the checkup, Roland excuses himself and step out of the room.

            “That wasn’t so bad, at least they seem to have some sort of plan to help you out.” Ali said, trying to lighten the mood that always seems to lower Leus’s spirits.

            Raising his voice a little, “Of course that wasn’t so bad.  That part isn’t ever that bad.  I’m not going to get excited over this stupid drug they’re giving me.  I haven’t heard a bit of good news about this stupid disease since I found out about it, they practically told me to buy a casket last time I was here!”  Leus lowers his voice slightly, “sorry, it’s just that I’ve already gotten over the depression of dying at a young age, but they keep trying to dig my grave deeper by getting my hopes up. This isn’t the first time and I would bet it won’t be the last.  All I can say is that I’m not going to remain patient much longer.  I could be doing a lot more interesting this if I wasn’t tethered to this stupid building.”

            Ali lowers her eyes to the floor, “I just don’t want to see you giving up.  I don’t see why you don’t seem aware that dying young isn’t the only way you do exciting things and live a full life.  Just don’t give up on me.”

            “I’m not saying I won’t be mad if I get cured of this stupid problem, just that I have already dealt with the psychological impact of dying.  I guess I just don’t want to spend whatever time I have left waiting in my living room for another hope that doesn’t turn out.”

            Roland returns to the room,  this time behind a few rather old men a few of which Leus has seen before.  “We’ve met before, Leus, but I’m doctor James Rocha.  Today we’re giving you a prescription which at the very least should extend your life a few years if it works, or at the very best could quite possibly cure you of the ailment entirely.  Now, assuming the condition is pacified, you might still suffer from the damage that was caused already, but only in the parts of your body where cells don’t regrow as often.  This would include your eyes, though we haven’t seen any problems with that yet, or some minor neurological complications that we haven’t noticed already occurring.  Other than that minor disclaimer, we are rather hopeful and I want you to know that there is a serious possibility that your condition will be remedied.”

Posted in: General »  by: Smack

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