3rd Opportunity :: Audio

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Whoever is responsible for these ghosts should probably...

[He takes a deep breath.]

Take care of them before they bite anyone else.

[A long pause.]

In the meantime, is there an available doctor in the area?

Comments

[hulkbusted]

Ever had stitches before?

[Mostly he's just killing time while he washes his hands.]

Any allergies I should know about?

[His bedside manner is usually better, but he's concerned about the little girl he left back in his apartment and what she might do while he's gone.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Meyer's also concerned about a little girl -- possibly the same little girl, though they'd have no way of knowing that.]

I've had stitches before. No allergies that I know of.

[hulkbusted]

Good, then I'll be done before you know it.

[The number of times he changes gloves in the next few minutes is nothing short of ridiculous, but Meyer can marvel at the show or ignore it entirely while Bruce gets a suturing kit laid out before he turns on Meyer with a syringe in hand.]

Now for the fun part. I guess we'll use a part of the floor you don't mind scrubbing later. Lie down and I'll give you some anesthetic. You won't feel a thing.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He's too light-headed to really argue at this point, so he simply lies down as he's told, glad, at least, that he'll be getting some anesthetic.]

The last time I had stitches, they didn't give me anything.

[He gestures to the syringe.]

That makes you a better doctor.

[hulkbusted]

I don't actually like hurting people. [Settling down on his knees next to Meyer, he makes the administration of the anesthetic quick if not wholly painless.]

I'm going to give that a minute to work. Do you have anyone who can come keep an eye on you when I'm done?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

My friends do.

[Like hurting people, that is.]

Mmm...

[He shakes his head.]

I was supposed to watching after a kid. Bobby.

[hulkbusted]

Bobby?

[Get a sharp look from a man holding an even sharper needle.]

About ten? Blond?

Bobby lives with me.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Yeah, about ten, about this tall...

[His gesture of height is completely off, since he's lying down, but it's a good attempt.]

Probably has a ghostly father showing up...

[hulkbusted]

That's why Bobby's supposed to stay inside.

[He will not let this affect his focus or the care with which he stitches Meyer's wound, but there's a moment where that might not be obvious in his expression.]

Was that why you were outside?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I was going to go check...

[He shakes his head, feeling woozy all of a sudden.]

I don't want Bobby to get hurt.

[hulkbusted]

Just stay still.

[Still, the guy goes up a couple of notches in Bruce's estimation.]

There's security on my building and no one would be getting through me. Of course I'm not home keeping an eye on Bobby, I'm here stitching you up.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You didn't have to come. If I'd known you were staying with Bobby, I would have...

[He trails off, apparently thinking about it deeply. And trying to stay still.]

[hulkbusted]

I know.

[And he's being a dick to the bleeding guy.]

I'm sorry, I'm not bringing my best bedside manner right now. Just breathe and I'll be done soon.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Breathing is something he can concentrate on. Breathing and closing his eyes. He feels exhausted all of a sudden.]

[hulkbusted]

[Bruce finishes and puts a bandage over the bite before tugging at Meyer's pants at his hip. He's just looking for a good place to inject the antibiotics, but he didn't exactly telegraph his intent.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Which leads to Meyer's slightly undignified thrashing at the unexpected pants-tugging. He doesn't expect doctors to just starting grabbing his clothes!]

What are you doing?

I... apologize

[hulkbusted]

Antibiotics. Sit still, unless you want to roll over so I can put it in your ass.

[Uh...]

The needle.

Re: Don't apologize. I snort-laughed. And had to use this icon.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

You're not putting anything in my ass.

[But he'll sit still, because the man has a needle and the intent to use it.]

[hulkbusted]

That's what I thought.

[This is why he prefers practicing medicine in Hindi. Yes. He gives Meyer a dose of antibiotics and starts to clean up.]

Let me give you a hand up. Are you sure there's no one who can come keep an eye on you?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'm sure. I'll be fine.

[He manages to stand fairly well, swaying aside.]

I think I just need some rest.

[hulkbusted]

[Bruce offers him support with a hand on his arm to lead him to somewhere more comfortable to lie down.]

That's not really what I've been getting from the network. I'm going to leave you antibiotics and some pain pills. If you start getting the urge to eat human flesh, call me.

[That was supposed to be a joke. It was a joke in his head. Once it's out of his head, it's not a joke anymore.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[At least, despite the lack of furniture, he's managed to throw a mattress in the corner. He lies down on that, groaning, but then immediately opens his eyes and stares at Bruce when he speaks those words.]

Is that... what happens to people who get bitten?

[This man has never seen a zombie movie. He is ignorant to all things zombie.]

[hulkbusted]

I haven't seen any sign of that on the network yet. There have been people posting about being ill, but not about a sudden craving for flesh. It was a bad joke.

[While he talks, he sets two pill bottles by the mattress and rummages in the kitchen for any food or drinks he can scrounge and put within easy reach for Meyer.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He smiles weakly.]

Good. I feel bad enough without eating my friends.

[Good luck finding food in there, Bruce. There's a jar of pickles and a loaf of bread.]

[hulkbusted]

[Such a freaking bachelor. Shit.

Fine, at least have some bread and water within easy reach - the traditional banquet of criminals around the world.]

I'm going to have to come back to check up on you.