Day 19: Morning Shift
The intercom clicked on among the dull sound of silverware against plastic dishes.
"Hello, everyone!" The Head Doctor said, and although he was using his friendlier daytime voice, a bit of exasperation had crept into his tone. "First of all, I'd like to make an important announcement regarding the bulletin boards we've put up as of late. Although we're very glad some of you have used your time after your meal to use the Sun Room for some communal sharing of thoughts, we've noticed that a very disturbingly large amount of you have been using it to post threats and vulgarities."
A pause, then a sigh.
"Our nurses have been doing their best to control the problem, but it seems the issue has gotten so out of hand that it needs to be more widely addressed. Hence, we are very disappointed to have to say that after this announcement, any patient who curses, makes threats, or participates in generally immature behavior on the bulletin board will be confined to their room during his or her next recreational shift."
The Head Doctor stopped, as if allowing his words to sink in. Finally, after a few moments, he continued.
"However, for our well-behaved patients, this shouldn't be too much of a problem, and you should feel free to continue using the bulletin board as usual. In any case, next shift will be a split one: The adults of eighteen years or older will be escorted to either the male or female showers, while the younger patients will be spending their time in the Game Room. Any children who don't wish to take part in Game Room activities can, of course, spend their time in the Sun Room."
No reminders this time. The Head Doctor sighed and then finished.
"That's about it! Remember: Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
The intercom switched off.
Edit:
...And then switched on again.
"Oh, err, right!" The Head Doctor cleared his throat. In the background, the faint sound of his assistant sighing could be heard. "It would seem I forgot a few new, friendly faces! Please welcome Aiden Burton, Ezra Klein, David Raine, Naomi Rosen, and Alyson Wike. Thank you!"
"Thank me," the faint mutter of the nurse could be heard in the background.
It seemed as if the Head Doctor cut off the intercom microphone far too quickly.
"Hello, everyone!" The Head Doctor said, and although he was using his friendlier daytime voice, a bit of exasperation had crept into his tone. "First of all, I'd like to make an important announcement regarding the bulletin boards we've put up as of late. Although we're very glad some of you have used your time after your meal to use the Sun Room for some communal sharing of thoughts, we've noticed that a very disturbingly large amount of you have been using it to post threats and vulgarities."
A pause, then a sigh.
"Our nurses have been doing their best to control the problem, but it seems the issue has gotten so out of hand that it needs to be more widely addressed. Hence, we are very disappointed to have to say that after this announcement, any patient who curses, makes threats, or participates in generally immature behavior on the bulletin board will be confined to their room during his or her next recreational shift."
The Head Doctor stopped, as if allowing his words to sink in. Finally, after a few moments, he continued.
"However, for our well-behaved patients, this shouldn't be too much of a problem, and you should feel free to continue using the bulletin board as usual. In any case, next shift will be a split one: The adults of eighteen years or older will be escorted to either the male or female showers, while the younger patients will be spending their time in the Game Room. Any children who don't wish to take part in Game Room activities can, of course, spend their time in the Sun Room."
No reminders this time. The Head Doctor sighed and then finished.
"That's about it! Remember: Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
The intercom switched off.
Edit:
...And then switched on again.
"Oh, err, right!" The Head Doctor cleared his throat. In the background, the faint sound of his assistant sighing could be heard. "It would seem I forgot a few new, friendly faces! Please welcome Aiden Burton, Ezra Klein, David Raine, Naomi Rosen, and Alyson Wike. Thank you!"
"Thank me," the faint mutter of the nurse could be heard in the background.
It seemed as if the Head Doctor cut off the intercom microphone far too quickly.