"Good afternoon, Nepenthe Clinic, this is Martin, how may I help you?" His tone was always cordial and polite on the phone. Anywhere else, anyone else, and it might be attributed to the bull-shit customer service tone of voice upon answering a business line. But with Martin Riley, his friendly phone demeanor was genuine. He had been working long enough for Dr. Paderborn to know her patients needed the utmost care, which included the way with which one used their voice around them. He listened to Greg Nicholas make the cancellation request, entering the information into the phone log book and nodding as he listened. He momentarily had paused when Nicholas had told him a friend of his would like to come in instead, and if it was all right to schedule him for that. Martin had asked the protocol questions - was his friend a patient of Dr. Paderborn's, had he been here before? No to both of these questions resulted in Martin kindly telling Greg Nicholas to let Milo MacKenzie to arrive a few minutes earlier.
He had called Phaedra's office line then. "Good afternoon, Phaedra. Did you have a good lunch?"
"Yes, Martin." She sounded busy. Of course she was busy.
"Greg Nicholas called. He canceled. A Milo MacKenzie has been scheduled in his place, for a consult."
"Did he say what is bothering MacKenzie, Martin?" In her office, Phaedra leaned back in her chair behind her desk, idly spinning the snake ring her brother had given her months before around her middle finger. Busy was in the eye of the beholder. Her last patient had just left, a middle aged woman being treated for severe joint pain.
"No, Phaedra." He loved her voice. He glanced at the time on his computer.
"Interesting. I suppose we'll find out soon enough. Martin, please be sure to inquire what the issue is next time this happens. We may need to refer him elsewhere." She could almost hear the waver of his voice begin, but could tell through his simple response that he had nodded and smiled before hanging up the line.
And forty-three minutes later, after Martin had taken a coffee and tea run, the door was opening and in walked a kid who looked sorely misplaced in the sleek, spartan yet uniquely decorated carpeted waiting room.
Phaedra was still in her office, faxing materials to her last patient's insurance company. She and Martin were a little backed up with paper work with how busy it had been in the last two weeks; she had barely enough time to speak to her family, let alone tend to her patients' needs. More and more she thought about Laudanum working at the clinic after her sister finished her 'formal education'. Glorified pieces of paper. They have brought me this far, and they will likely do the same for her.
Martin looked up at Milo MacKenzie, smiling instantly. He nodded. "Welcome, Milo. Is Milo ok? Do you have a preferred nickname? We require all new patients to fill out these forms. Not the most exciting thing to do, but it makes it easier for the doctor to assess what's going on." He handed the kid a clip board with some forms to fill out on medical history, insurance information and other fabulously dull things all mortal patients were required to fill out. "Make yourself comfortable. Help yourself to tea or coffee," he said, gesturing to the hot water container and little stand between cushioned chairs on the opposite wall, with cups and condiments carefully arranged. "She will be out in a few minutes. Name's Martin, by the way. Let me know if you need anything."