[SCENE] Diego and Eldoon in "Walk-Ins Welcome"
((This takes place the Thursday preceding Diego's trip to Eagle Mountain.))
Receptionist: *It is a quiet day at Eldoon Clinic-- business as usual, or not, because there was no business. No appointments, no walk-ins, no one to mind the receptionist playing her DS instead of doing yesterday's filing. That is, at least, until the door opens, and a demigod steps into the clinic. Half Latino, half cyborg, all hotness.* Hiiii. Like, welcome to Eldoon Clinic. What can I do for you, handsome?
Diego: *rucksack slung over his shoulder, Diego considers the receptionist for a moment before grinning wide* Well hello there. I suppose you could tell me: is the doctor in?
Receptionist: *The man is actually smiling at her, which is more than can be said for some of her visitors. She smiles back, all artificially-white teeth.* Like, totally. He, like, never stops. Anything wrong today, or are you just here to see him?
Diego: *reaches up and takes off his mask with a click, leaning in over her desk and grinning up close, silver eyes shimmering as if they're looking at her* Just a check-up, sweet thing. Think I can see him?
Receptionist: *She is shocked-- SHOCKED-- that the mask is actually covering such imperfections as FAKE EFFING EYES* Oh... my... god. *She pushes her chair back from the desk, only in part thinking of putting distance between them.* I'll, like, go tell him he has a walk-in. I'm sure he'll see you-- real fast.
Diego: You do that. *pushes his mask back into place with a dry click*
Receptionist: *Relieved that the scars AND THE EYES are covered again, she recovers enough to do her damn job.* Are you a returning patient, Mr...?
Diego: Armando. Diego Armando. And yes, I'm one of the doctor's best customers.
Receptionist: Like, I'll pull your file, then. If you just want to have a seat, the doctor should be with you in just a few minutes!
Diego: I think I'll do just that. *gives her a quick two-fingered salute and sits in one of the chairs for the (very) modestly sized waiting room*
Eldoon: *Eldoon is enjoying a nice salty bowl of noodles in his office, when his excitable bimbo of a receptionist comes to him with a patient file.* Feh, this can't be right. You pulled the wrong file, doll. This guy ain't walkin' in-- or out-- nowhere.
Eldoon: *The receptionist defends her accuracy, however, the name fresh on her mind-- and when she mentions the peculiar visor and the fake eyes, Eldoon knows that she has, in fact, pulled the right file. He hurries out to the waiting room, leaving his salty broth undrunk.* Diego, son. What the hell...?
Diego: Hey, Doc. *grins at the perplexed look on his face - Eldoon's the only person he keeps the same contact with from his previous life* Broke out! Cops're after me. Think you can hide me?
Eldoon: *His eyes bug out, and he opens his mouth to say something-- then something about his face collapses, and what comes out instead is a simple inarticulate noise* Feh. *He shakes his head* If you was really hiding, you wouldn't have shown that airhead your whole damn face, son.
Diego: Ha! You got me. *rises from the chair, holding his hands spread, palms flat* Just here for that appointment. Walk-in, but still an appointment. Got time to see me?
Eldoon: Ha! Son, my only appointment today is with my old man's lunch stand. Mighty tasty. But come on back, I got all day to check you out-- and hear what's up with you walkin' out of Bloodspill.
Diego: That's an interesting story there - how much of it you want to hear? What I know, or what I suspect?
Eldoon: *chuckles* All of it. I got all day to shoot the breeze, and no one to kick back with 'cept that airhead. *He casts a glance at the reception desk-- still empty, because the girl decided to "take her 15" until that creepy hunk was safely in with the doctor* Follow me on back, then.
Diego: Sure thing, Doc. *steps to follow Eldoon back into one of the examination rooms* You remember hearing about a prosecutor named Manfred von Karma? Convicted of murder a few years back...
Diego: *over the course of the next several minutes, Diego outlines the entirety of the events in the prison - from von Karma setting the Cutters on him to the firing of the warden, up through his legitimate parole opportunity, its blocking, and then his sudden, unexplained released, and what he suspects on that front* ...And I've been wandering around L.A. for the past three days.
Eldoon: *When the story's done with, Doony is shocked* Woo boy, that's a story, all right. The biggest fighters're the ones decompensating, knowin' they're dying. Von Karma's trial was years and years ago-- while you was still asleep. I reckon his sentence is coming up right fast?
Diego: Sooner than he thinks - if we're lucky, he's eaten his last birthday cake. *ponders a moment* Shoulda tried to find out about Gant while I had the chance.
Eldoon: I think there's something subconscious that clicks when you know your time's come-- but that ain't my medical opinion, no sir. *Looks blank at this last reference* Gant, huh?
Diego: *nods, sitting back on the examination table* You remember him - head of the Joe Darke case? Partner with that Lana Skye woman?
Eldoon: Huh-- that's right. Wasn't he the one that did it, after all, or something like that? *Eldoon is usually more fond of gossip closer to home, so the details of the big LAPD/Prosecutors Office scandal are fuzzy*
Diego: Yeah - right smart, too, still has a lot of influence in there. *grins as he thinks of it* He was the one behind my actual hearing getting shoved aside - I think he and von Karma might kill each other.
Eldoon: Desperate men, son. There's a darkness in this world that swallows all men, weak or strong. And those men makin' headlines, back in the day, they was strong, mm-hmm. *shakes his head ruefully, and finally deigns to open the file in his lap* Haven't taken anymore beatings since I saw you last, have you?
Diego: Not to the same extent - big guy attacked me, but I beat him senseless and he's been in solitary ever since. *he glosses over the beating he took before that point exactly because he doesn't think it important* I hit him once with my visor when he had a weapon, but I don't think it shook anything loose.
Eldoon: Feh. That thing's a mite delicate to be usin' as a blunt instrument, son. Mind if I check it, an' of course, the sockets.
Diego: Sure thing. *leans forward, reaching up and popping the connectors loose, then holds the visor out to Eldoon while keeping his head lowered*
Eldoon: *He turns it over in his hands, checking for dings, or for anything sticking out that shouldn't* Hmmph. Looks like it survived being used like a club, anyhow. Let's see your eyes, then. Nothin' sore anymore from last month's operation?
Diego: *raises his head and widens his eyes as best he can* Last of the soreness went away about ten days ago. Haven't had any trouble out of them - keeping them clean, just like you said.
Eldoon: Good boy. *Probes at the sockets, making sure of such gruesome details as whether or not they're still firmly in place (they are) and whether the lids have made any adhesions to the artificial "eyes" (they haven't)* Good, good. And how's the head, son?
Diego: Uh... it's been about the same, I guess. I still get dizzy every once in a while, but no more than normal.
Eldoon: Hmmph. So long as you're takin' it easy. Feh. *he sits back down to write in the chart* When was your last MRI?
Diego: ...Last time I got one from you.
Eldoon: *flips back in Diego's not-inconsiderable chart* Lesse... did a CAT when you came in with your eyes popped out, but there was too much going on in there to be lookin' at old scarrin'... Last one was last October, that sound right?
Diego: *thinks back* That'd be about halfway through my appeals. Yeah, October sounds about on the spot.
Eldoon: Hmmph. Bit long for my taste, but what can you do. Six months out from that, you was in Cromartie General tryin' to die a second time. I want to get another picture today.
Diego: Whatever you say, Doc - I got the time. Want to do it now?
Eldoon: Feh. No, I want to do it next week. 'Course I want to do it now.
Diego: Ha! You're the boss. *stands from the table* You going to give me back my visor or lead me by the hand?
Eldoon: *he hands it back to him* And again, you didn't have any blurriness-- well, unusual blurriness after you clubbed a man with it?
Diego: *presses it back into place - he's finding he likes the sound it makes more as time passes* Not a bit. *shoves his hands back in his pockets and grins* I'm not testing it again, but it proved pretty tough.
Eldoon: Feh. Not as tough as its owner, that's for sure. *slaps the file shut and tucks it under his arm*
Diego: Ha! One can hope. *bows sardonically, with a sweep of his arm* After you, Doc.
Eldoon: What am I, son, your guide dog? Did I not give you eyes? *Despite this sarcastic jab, Eldoon leads the way to the radiology department-- empty, as usual* You know the drill, son. Your eyes can't come into the magnet room.
Diego: *reaches up and takes off his visor again with a sigh* All right. I hate this thing, though, and I just want to remind you of that. *reaches into his pocket* Is it all right if I do it?
Eldoon: Feh. Son, I don't think there's anyone in the world that'd want to stab his own eye out. Just a necessary failsafe I had to make, so I could look inside your head ever again. *shakes his head* Knock yourself out.
Diego: All right, thanks. *tucks his visor under his armpit and removes, from his pocket, a rather simple-looking instrument the size and shape of a silver pen. He twists one end of it, and the opposite end clicks as three tiny, equidistant hook pop out of it. Diego holds his left eye open with his left hand, bringing the tool up with his right*
Diego: *he places the tips of the hooks against the surface of his eye - the lubricant from his eye socket makes sure it doesn't scrape as he twists the hooks against the metal of his eye - and then they find purchase in borderline microscopic holes in the surface. He presses in and twists, and there is an unfastening inside of his skull. He twists the tool so the hooks slide into a secondary position - and then pulls out his eye* Arr.
Eldoon: Arr. Shiver me timbers, and hand over your silver, matey.
Diego: *holds out his visor and twists the end of the tool, letting the eye drop into his hand and holding that out to Eldoon* Is it all right to lament about my PCP being a smart-ass when he's not holding a knife?
Eldoon: Feh. Even under the knife, son. I owe you big for all the treasure you've poured into this here clinic. *sets aside the metallic things in a convenient tray, and opens the door to the room with one hand while reaching for the blind man's arm with the other* Straight ahead, now.
Diego: *having popped out his second eye while Eldoon was talking, Diego acquiesces to being led* This is always the weirdest feeling. Ever had one yourself?
Eldoon: No, son, I haven't ever taken my eyeballs out with a stylus tool. Here's the table. *He places Diego's hand on the edge*
Diego: Har dee har. *clambers up and lays himself in the position he's got memorized by now - he had to have a lot of this before his mask was installed* I meant an MRI.
Eldoon: Not me, son. Always been healthy as a horse, I have. *He presses the call button into Diego's hand and rolls the table back into the enclosure; this is indeed a practiced routine with them*
Diego: So what, is your PCP the vet down the street? How's that working out?
Eldoon: *It takes Eldoon a minute to respond, settling into the chair in front of the control panel-- and the microphone* Healthy as a horse. As. You skip the class on prepositions 'cause of some filly, son?
Diego: See now, you're even breeding like one. That's a problem, Doc. I can recommend some good therapists to you. *does his best not to squirm, but his voice is raised loud enough to respond* Besides, "as a horse" is a postposition.
Eldoon: You mean those same ones I referred you to? *Eldoon snorts. Loudly. And repeatedly.* Oh, you English majors... *And so it went on, and on, and on, for the thirty minutes it took to process all the necessary angles of Diego's head*
Eldoon: *He comes back into the room, and rolls the table back out* --And that's why salt doesn't help everything, mm-hmm.
Diego: I could have told you that after I put it in my coffee. You put funny ideas in a guy's head. *sits up, swinging his legs out over the table* When will I know how my head looks?
Eldoon: Hey, I never mentioned coffee. Whatever I said, it's a sure thing you overanalysed it-- just like a lit major. Feh. *He slaps the other man on the back* Well, when can you come in next week? I'm sure not busy, but I suppose you've got big plans now you're out.
Diego: I dunno about next week, Doc - kind of taking a serious retreat, getting in touch with myself. Any chance we could talk on the internet or the phone?
Eldoon: Hmmph. State of your brainmeat's a pretty heavy subject for email, but if you can't come in person, well, you can't come in person. *rubs the back of his neck* Where's this retreat, anyhow?
Diego: *shrugs - he agrees, but he's got priorities* Up in the Eagle Mountains - about a five hour trip by train. Little place called Hazakura Temple - you may have heard about it in the news last year.
Eldoon: Hazakura... Hazakura... *Though Diego can hardly see it, Eldoon's eyes pop open as he finally recalls where he's heard that name before-- and his tone is slightly different when he again says* Hazakura... So they're welcomin' you back there, are they?
Diego: *his mouth tightens but his expression is otherwise unchanged* Yeah. The nuns there will probably let me stay - I haven't asked yet, but I've received encouragement from both of them. *pauses* ...You know I still haven't given you a video of that trial. I'll put in a call to the prosecutor's office and get it in the mail. About eight hours of the weirdest shit you've ever seen.
Eldoon: That's good, son, real good. I'm no therapist, but it seems right that you're layin' it to rest with those ladies. That's maybe something worth missing an appointment over, mm-hmm. *He claps Diego on the shoulder again* Yeah? I've seen some pretty weird shit up in my practice, you know...
Diego: Ha! You know, I bet you have. Tell you what, you just mention what you think of it in your e-mail and we'll go from there. *grins* Can I get my face back?
Eldoon: I'll do that, son. You sure got me curious, now. *He holds out the tray of ferromagnetic fractions of face, scoffing as he does so* This is no more your face than your nose is.
Diego: Well, I think your receptionist would argue differently. *he picks up his eyes and turns them in his hands - they're a lot easier to put in than they were to take out, just requiring a gentle shove and a bit of rolling until the connectors fall into place. He blinks a few times and then puts his mask back on* There we go. I was missing that pretty mug of yours.
Eldoon: That bimbo doesn't go any deeper than her cleavage. I should've just put the little wife at the front desk to begin with... *sighs* Feh. Sorry to lay a second rejection on you, son, but you ain't my type.
Diego: Well, damn. Looks like my Thursday night's not gonna be as busy after all. *laughs derisively, then jerks his head in the direction of the reception area* I'd love to stay and chat more, Doc, but I still have some people I need to scare to death. Let's go talk about what I owe ya.
Eldoon: You got a funny way of having fun, son. *Eldoon turns his feet toward the waiting room* You gotten insurance since you broke out, or is this out of pocket...?
Diego: *walks shoulder-to-shoulder with Eldoon, hands in his pockets* The latter. Not many insurance companies even want to look at me, at this point. I think I got someone fired just for asking what my premium would end up being.
Eldoon: Goddamn money-grubbing bastards. *He shakes his head* I did finally choke that payment out of the state, though, so we'll only fleece you for today. *By now they have reached the lobby, and Eldoon slaps the receptionist's desk to get her attention away from Trauma Center* Doll, I need you to tally up the out-of-pocket rates for an MRI scan and an office visit. *The girl is quick to come up with this information, not wanting the Latino Cyborg to linger in front of her anymore than necessary*
Diego: *pays the girl no mind until the sum is presented to him* About what I figured. *pulls out his wallet and plops down enough twenties to cover the entire thing* Good thing I made a withdrawal earlier. Ha! *puts the wallet back in his pocket, pointedly ignoring the receptionist and grinning at Eldoon* Say hello to your old man for me, will you? Might be a while before I can stop by the stand.
Eldoon: *Although he is expecting it, Eldoon's eyes bug out at the sight of all that cash* Hmmph. Sure thing, son. I'd suggest you stop by the stand for dinner, but I reckon you're more a steak-and-potatoes man.
Diego: Ha! You know I love my cholesterol. *turns and begins to walk out, throwing a salute over his shoulder* Come to think, I feel like having a big loaf of bread and smothering it in real butter.
Eldoon: *calls after him* You'll give yourself a heart attack, son... Feh. *Eldoon turns back toward his office, still intent on finishing that cold, salty broth even if he's been paid enough to eat steak tonight.*
Receptionist: *It is a quiet day at Eldoon Clinic-- business as usual, or not, because there was no business. No appointments, no walk-ins, no one to mind the receptionist playing her DS instead of doing yesterday's filing. That is, at least, until the door opens, and a demigod steps into the clinic. Half Latino, half cyborg, all hotness.* Hiiii. Like, welcome to Eldoon Clinic. What can I do for you, handsome?
Diego: *rucksack slung over his shoulder, Diego considers the receptionist for a moment before grinning wide* Well hello there. I suppose you could tell me: is the doctor in?
Receptionist: *The man is actually smiling at her, which is more than can be said for some of her visitors. She smiles back, all artificially-white teeth.* Like, totally. He, like, never stops. Anything wrong today, or are you just here to see him?
Diego: *reaches up and takes off his mask with a click, leaning in over her desk and grinning up close, silver eyes shimmering as if they're looking at her* Just a check-up, sweet thing. Think I can see him?
Receptionist: *She is shocked-- SHOCKED-- that the mask is actually covering such imperfections as FAKE EFFING EYES* Oh... my... god. *She pushes her chair back from the desk, only in part thinking of putting distance between them.* I'll, like, go tell him he has a walk-in. I'm sure he'll see you-- real fast.
Diego: You do that. *pushes his mask back into place with a dry click*
Receptionist: *Relieved that the scars AND THE EYES are covered again, she recovers enough to do her damn job.* Are you a returning patient, Mr...?
Diego: Armando. Diego Armando. And yes, I'm one of the doctor's best customers.
Receptionist: Like, I'll pull your file, then. If you just want to have a seat, the doctor should be with you in just a few minutes!
Diego: I think I'll do just that. *gives her a quick two-fingered salute and sits in one of the chairs for the (very) modestly sized waiting room*
Eldoon: *Eldoon is enjoying a nice salty bowl of noodles in his office, when his excitable bimbo of a receptionist comes to him with a patient file.* Feh, this can't be right. You pulled the wrong file, doll. This guy ain't walkin' in-- or out-- nowhere.
Eldoon: *The receptionist defends her accuracy, however, the name fresh on her mind-- and when she mentions the peculiar visor and the fake eyes, Eldoon knows that she has, in fact, pulled the right file. He hurries out to the waiting room, leaving his salty broth undrunk.* Diego, son. What the hell...?
Diego: Hey, Doc. *grins at the perplexed look on his face - Eldoon's the only person he keeps the same contact with from his previous life* Broke out! Cops're after me. Think you can hide me?
Eldoon: *His eyes bug out, and he opens his mouth to say something-- then something about his face collapses, and what comes out instead is a simple inarticulate noise* Feh. *He shakes his head* If you was really hiding, you wouldn't have shown that airhead your whole damn face, son.
Diego: Ha! You got me. *rises from the chair, holding his hands spread, palms flat* Just here for that appointment. Walk-in, but still an appointment. Got time to see me?
Eldoon: Ha! Son, my only appointment today is with my old man's lunch stand. Mighty tasty. But come on back, I got all day to check you out-- and hear what's up with you walkin' out of Bloodspill.
Diego: That's an interesting story there - how much of it you want to hear? What I know, or what I suspect?
Eldoon: *chuckles* All of it. I got all day to shoot the breeze, and no one to kick back with 'cept that airhead. *He casts a glance at the reception desk-- still empty, because the girl decided to "take her 15" until that creepy hunk was safely in with the doctor* Follow me on back, then.
Diego: Sure thing, Doc. *steps to follow Eldoon back into one of the examination rooms* You remember hearing about a prosecutor named Manfred von Karma? Convicted of murder a few years back...
Diego: *over the course of the next several minutes, Diego outlines the entirety of the events in the prison - from von Karma setting the Cutters on him to the firing of the warden, up through his legitimate parole opportunity, its blocking, and then his sudden, unexplained released, and what he suspects on that front* ...And I've been wandering around L.A. for the past three days.
Eldoon: *When the story's done with, Doony is shocked* Woo boy, that's a story, all right. The biggest fighters're the ones decompensating, knowin' they're dying. Von Karma's trial was years and years ago-- while you was still asleep. I reckon his sentence is coming up right fast?
Diego: Sooner than he thinks - if we're lucky, he's eaten his last birthday cake. *ponders a moment* Shoulda tried to find out about Gant while I had the chance.
Eldoon: I think there's something subconscious that clicks when you know your time's come-- but that ain't my medical opinion, no sir. *Looks blank at this last reference* Gant, huh?
Diego: *nods, sitting back on the examination table* You remember him - head of the Joe Darke case? Partner with that Lana Skye woman?
Eldoon: Huh-- that's right. Wasn't he the one that did it, after all, or something like that? *Eldoon is usually more fond of gossip closer to home, so the details of the big LAPD/Prosecutors Office scandal are fuzzy*
Diego: Yeah - right smart, too, still has a lot of influence in there. *grins as he thinks of it* He was the one behind my actual hearing getting shoved aside - I think he and von Karma might kill each other.
Eldoon: Desperate men, son. There's a darkness in this world that swallows all men, weak or strong. And those men makin' headlines, back in the day, they was strong, mm-hmm. *shakes his head ruefully, and finally deigns to open the file in his lap* Haven't taken anymore beatings since I saw you last, have you?
Diego: Not to the same extent - big guy attacked me, but I beat him senseless and he's been in solitary ever since. *he glosses over the beating he took before that point exactly because he doesn't think it important* I hit him once with my visor when he had a weapon, but I don't think it shook anything loose.
Eldoon: Feh. That thing's a mite delicate to be usin' as a blunt instrument, son. Mind if I check it, an' of course, the sockets.
Diego: Sure thing. *leans forward, reaching up and popping the connectors loose, then holds the visor out to Eldoon while keeping his head lowered*
Eldoon: *He turns it over in his hands, checking for dings, or for anything sticking out that shouldn't* Hmmph. Looks like it survived being used like a club, anyhow. Let's see your eyes, then. Nothin' sore anymore from last month's operation?
Diego: *raises his head and widens his eyes as best he can* Last of the soreness went away about ten days ago. Haven't had any trouble out of them - keeping them clean, just like you said.
Eldoon: Good boy. *Probes at the sockets, making sure of such gruesome details as whether or not they're still firmly in place (they are) and whether the lids have made any adhesions to the artificial "eyes" (they haven't)* Good, good. And how's the head, son?
Diego: Uh... it's been about the same, I guess. I still get dizzy every once in a while, but no more than normal.
Eldoon: Hmmph. So long as you're takin' it easy. Feh. *he sits back down to write in the chart* When was your last MRI?
Diego: ...Last time I got one from you.
Eldoon: *flips back in Diego's not-inconsiderable chart* Lesse... did a CAT when you came in with your eyes popped out, but there was too much going on in there to be lookin' at old scarrin'... Last one was last October, that sound right?
Diego: *thinks back* That'd be about halfway through my appeals. Yeah, October sounds about on the spot.
Eldoon: Hmmph. Bit long for my taste, but what can you do. Six months out from that, you was in Cromartie General tryin' to die a second time. I want to get another picture today.
Diego: Whatever you say, Doc - I got the time. Want to do it now?
Eldoon: Feh. No, I want to do it next week. 'Course I want to do it now.
Diego: Ha! You're the boss. *stands from the table* You going to give me back my visor or lead me by the hand?
Eldoon: *he hands it back to him* And again, you didn't have any blurriness-- well, unusual blurriness after you clubbed a man with it?
Diego: *presses it back into place - he's finding he likes the sound it makes more as time passes* Not a bit. *shoves his hands back in his pockets and grins* I'm not testing it again, but it proved pretty tough.
Eldoon: Feh. Not as tough as its owner, that's for sure. *slaps the file shut and tucks it under his arm*
Diego: Ha! One can hope. *bows sardonically, with a sweep of his arm* After you, Doc.
Eldoon: What am I, son, your guide dog? Did I not give you eyes? *Despite this sarcastic jab, Eldoon leads the way to the radiology department-- empty, as usual* You know the drill, son. Your eyes can't come into the magnet room.
Diego: *reaches up and takes off his visor again with a sigh* All right. I hate this thing, though, and I just want to remind you of that. *reaches into his pocket* Is it all right if I do it?
Eldoon: Feh. Son, I don't think there's anyone in the world that'd want to stab his own eye out. Just a necessary failsafe I had to make, so I could look inside your head ever again. *shakes his head* Knock yourself out.
Diego: All right, thanks. *tucks his visor under his armpit and removes, from his pocket, a rather simple-looking instrument the size and shape of a silver pen. He twists one end of it, and the opposite end clicks as three tiny, equidistant hook pop out of it. Diego holds his left eye open with his left hand, bringing the tool up with his right*
Diego: *he places the tips of the hooks against the surface of his eye - the lubricant from his eye socket makes sure it doesn't scrape as he twists the hooks against the metal of his eye - and then they find purchase in borderline microscopic holes in the surface. He presses in and twists, and there is an unfastening inside of his skull. He twists the tool so the hooks slide into a secondary position - and then pulls out his eye* Arr.
Eldoon: Arr. Shiver me timbers, and hand over your silver, matey.
Diego: *holds out his visor and twists the end of the tool, letting the eye drop into his hand and holding that out to Eldoon* Is it all right to lament about my PCP being a smart-ass when he's not holding a knife?
Eldoon: Feh. Even under the knife, son. I owe you big for all the treasure you've poured into this here clinic. *sets aside the metallic things in a convenient tray, and opens the door to the room with one hand while reaching for the blind man's arm with the other* Straight ahead, now.
Diego: *having popped out his second eye while Eldoon was talking, Diego acquiesces to being led* This is always the weirdest feeling. Ever had one yourself?
Eldoon: No, son, I haven't ever taken my eyeballs out with a stylus tool. Here's the table. *He places Diego's hand on the edge*
Diego: Har dee har. *clambers up and lays himself in the position he's got memorized by now - he had to have a lot of this before his mask was installed* I meant an MRI.
Eldoon: Not me, son. Always been healthy as a horse, I have. *He presses the call button into Diego's hand and rolls the table back into the enclosure; this is indeed a practiced routine with them*
Diego: So what, is your PCP the vet down the street? How's that working out?
Eldoon: *It takes Eldoon a minute to respond, settling into the chair in front of the control panel-- and the microphone* Healthy as a horse. As. You skip the class on prepositions 'cause of some filly, son?
Diego: See now, you're even breeding like one. That's a problem, Doc. I can recommend some good therapists to you. *does his best not to squirm, but his voice is raised loud enough to respond* Besides, "as a horse" is a postposition.
Eldoon: You mean those same ones I referred you to? *Eldoon snorts. Loudly. And repeatedly.* Oh, you English majors... *And so it went on, and on, and on, for the thirty minutes it took to process all the necessary angles of Diego's head*
Eldoon: *He comes back into the room, and rolls the table back out* --And that's why salt doesn't help everything, mm-hmm.
Diego: I could have told you that after I put it in my coffee. You put funny ideas in a guy's head. *sits up, swinging his legs out over the table* When will I know how my head looks?
Eldoon: Hey, I never mentioned coffee. Whatever I said, it's a sure thing you overanalysed it-- just like a lit major. Feh. *He slaps the other man on the back* Well, when can you come in next week? I'm sure not busy, but I suppose you've got big plans now you're out.
Diego: I dunno about next week, Doc - kind of taking a serious retreat, getting in touch with myself. Any chance we could talk on the internet or the phone?
Eldoon: Hmmph. State of your brainmeat's a pretty heavy subject for email, but if you can't come in person, well, you can't come in person. *rubs the back of his neck* Where's this retreat, anyhow?
Diego: *shrugs - he agrees, but he's got priorities* Up in the Eagle Mountains - about a five hour trip by train. Little place called Hazakura Temple - you may have heard about it in the news last year.
Eldoon: Hazakura... Hazakura... *Though Diego can hardly see it, Eldoon's eyes pop open as he finally recalls where he's heard that name before-- and his tone is slightly different when he again says* Hazakura... So they're welcomin' you back there, are they?
Diego: *his mouth tightens but his expression is otherwise unchanged* Yeah. The nuns there will probably let me stay - I haven't asked yet, but I've received encouragement from both of them. *pauses* ...You know I still haven't given you a video of that trial. I'll put in a call to the prosecutor's office and get it in the mail. About eight hours of the weirdest shit you've ever seen.
Eldoon: That's good, son, real good. I'm no therapist, but it seems right that you're layin' it to rest with those ladies. That's maybe something worth missing an appointment over, mm-hmm. *He claps Diego on the shoulder again* Yeah? I've seen some pretty weird shit up in my practice, you know...
Diego: Ha! You know, I bet you have. Tell you what, you just mention what you think of it in your e-mail and we'll go from there. *grins* Can I get my face back?
Eldoon: I'll do that, son. You sure got me curious, now. *He holds out the tray of ferromagnetic fractions of face, scoffing as he does so* This is no more your face than your nose is.
Diego: Well, I think your receptionist would argue differently. *he picks up his eyes and turns them in his hands - they're a lot easier to put in than they were to take out, just requiring a gentle shove and a bit of rolling until the connectors fall into place. He blinks a few times and then puts his mask back on* There we go. I was missing that pretty mug of yours.
Eldoon: That bimbo doesn't go any deeper than her cleavage. I should've just put the little wife at the front desk to begin with... *sighs* Feh. Sorry to lay a second rejection on you, son, but you ain't my type.
Diego: Well, damn. Looks like my Thursday night's not gonna be as busy after all. *laughs derisively, then jerks his head in the direction of the reception area* I'd love to stay and chat more, Doc, but I still have some people I need to scare to death. Let's go talk about what I owe ya.
Eldoon: You got a funny way of having fun, son. *Eldoon turns his feet toward the waiting room* You gotten insurance since you broke out, or is this out of pocket...?
Diego: *walks shoulder-to-shoulder with Eldoon, hands in his pockets* The latter. Not many insurance companies even want to look at me, at this point. I think I got someone fired just for asking what my premium would end up being.
Eldoon: Goddamn money-grubbing bastards. *He shakes his head* I did finally choke that payment out of the state, though, so we'll only fleece you for today. *By now they have reached the lobby, and Eldoon slaps the receptionist's desk to get her attention away from Trauma Center* Doll, I need you to tally up the out-of-pocket rates for an MRI scan and an office visit. *The girl is quick to come up with this information, not wanting the Latino Cyborg to linger in front of her anymore than necessary*
Diego: *pays the girl no mind until the sum is presented to him* About what I figured. *pulls out his wallet and plops down enough twenties to cover the entire thing* Good thing I made a withdrawal earlier. Ha! *puts the wallet back in his pocket, pointedly ignoring the receptionist and grinning at Eldoon* Say hello to your old man for me, will you? Might be a while before I can stop by the stand.
Eldoon: *Although he is expecting it, Eldoon's eyes bug out at the sight of all that cash* Hmmph. Sure thing, son. I'd suggest you stop by the stand for dinner, but I reckon you're more a steak-and-potatoes man.
Diego: Ha! You know I love my cholesterol. *turns and begins to walk out, throwing a salute over his shoulder* Come to think, I feel like having a big loaf of bread and smothering it in real butter.
Eldoon: *calls after him* You'll give yourself a heart attack, son... Feh. *Eldoon turns back toward his office, still intent on finishing that cold, salty broth even if he's been paid enough to eat steak tonight.*