The bots must have been keen to see me because I had an appointment with the second nurse in no time at all.
The small hospital in the rural market town was just as quiet as I remembered it. I checked in with Reception and took a seat to watch the world go by. There wasn't much to see. What a nice place to work.
The second nurse appeared bang on time and off we went to have a nice chat in her office. I appreciated her warmth and approachability. She was in no rush to take the photos. She had a perpetual smile and glanced at her desktop from time to time as we had a good catch up. Then she asked me how my appointment had gone.
I found this a bit perplexing, to say the least. I smiled back at her and asked which appointment.
Her fingers paused on her keyboard and she replied that she was asking about my appointment at Dermatology. But she seemed suddenly hesitant. I think she must have noticed something in my expression that caused her a bit of concern, because she then asked who I'd seen.
I replied that I hadn't actually had an appointment.
This appeared to be news to her. She sat back in her chair, frowned, and enquired: "But you must have talked to somebody."
It seemed to me that the bots had pulled a fast one on her. Concerned I was spoiling her day, I wasn't too sure how to break the news. I remember muttering an apology and repeating something about not being given an appointment.
"But that's ridiculous!" she snapped in apparent exasperation. She scowled at her computer and attacked her keyboard. "You've got a chronic condition and need a treatment plan." I worried that if she typed any harder or faster she was going to break some keys or a finger. "And your condition must be monitored!" she loudly exclaimed as she slammed a final comment into the notes.
It looked as though she'd found that quite cathartic. She relaxed back on to her chair and smiled at me again. Then we chatted for a few minutes before she took some new photos and I was on my way.
The bots had met their match. She probably kept her lance and suit of armour in a redundant boiler house for the hospital's old coal-fired boilers that had been repurposed as a stable for her white charger.
I really liked her and thought she was one of these people we meet in life who would become unforgettable.
