Slow And Troubled Days

Karl worked with Shaw to keep the postmen safe and also act as the ambulance man. There were also attacks so Shaw would ride with Clive to make sure that nothing would happen. Owen remained at the clinic acting like a receptionist. He threw his coat away and became an assistant to the clinic. Clive was more of a brute compared to his brother who had a good head on his shoulders. If anything Owen was far more thankful about the opportunity given to him.

He had told him that his job was simple. Be polite to the patients coming in. Tell them to sit down and if he needs it. He would help him hold down the patients or carry those who could not walk properly to the room.

Owen had been helpful. Alicia still stayed in the clinic acting as the typist for Karl whenever she had nothing to do. Five days had passed since then. It went better than expected. Viole, who even thought of the three, had to raise his hands in surrender when they found them patiently working.

It was almost noon. Owen was leaning on the receptionist counter. Behind the receptionist was the ward while on Owen’s left was the office of Karl and Alicia. Alicia was on the side typing quietly. Karl read in a newspaper detailing how many amendments had to be revised within the year. The headline was naturally about how the war had caused much suffering, how the leader of the United Provinces would have to step up if he wants to placate the provinces who had sent their young men to die.

“Trouble always comes, eh?”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, I’m simply muttering to myself. You know that we could just hire another one.”

“No, let me do this,” she insisted. “I have nothing to do and I could earn more. It may not look like it, but I don’t earn much despite how Prez treats me.”

Viole was usually fair. Karl had understood this when he had decided to hire the three. Although Mr. Shaw Holloway has quite a rowdy reputation. Viole gave him and his boys a chance. So he wasn’t surprised that he still had a heart to be fair.

“He must be getting scolded. Treating you so well.”

“President Viole is like that. I can’t help it.”

Karl agreed. He flipped to the next page. This time on the paper there was news about railways and demands on engineers who could operate trains. There was much news despite the many deaths. It made Karl think that a new era has come to this world. An era that he hoped would be kinder than the one they lived on for years. Karl rested his back on the chair while staring at the ceiling fan. Although he had become a physician now, there were still doubts in his heart whether he could do it properly. He had to properly review and even had to bother Alicia to recite them for him.

When it was noon they had to lock up. Karl rode his motorcycle and took Alicia to the diner two blocks away from Elford Street. Zoe, who was expecting them, motioned them to the table on her right side. 

“Same as always,” Zoe said. “Hi Alicia, is Karl bothering you? What about Holloway’s boys?”

“They are doing well. They won’t dare to be rude with Karl around.”

Zoe nodded. She placed the clipboard on the table.

“Well, it’s still surprising how Old Holloway just turned straight. We thought he’d start bullying fellers again.”

Karl had heard that when the war was going on. Old Holloway worked on the military base close to the city and kept watch. When he got off he spent time doing rounds making sure that no Imperial Army would invade the city. Despite his rather roguish nature, Mr. Shaw loved his city.

“Well, I did give him a broken nose so it shouldn’t be too hard for Old Shaw to behave himself.”

“I hope he does.”

Zoe took their orders. It was a pork fry that he ordered. Alicia bought herself a vegetable treat and ate while sometimes glancing at the flow of people heading to their workplaces. Although automobiles had started to populate the roads. There were still wagons and stagecoaches. Not far from them was even a stable that held horses. City regulations lately had been keeping establishments like stables healthy since they did not want manure to be on the street after the plague that caused folks to be sick. Not to mention that the other buildings were not so fond of the smell.

“That’s a warmblood.” 

Karl pointed at the tall horse. Alicia inspected the muscular horse before nodding.

“I saw a taller horse back in the western side of the continent. I think they called it dune horses. They are quite tall and they have long fangs.”

“Oh, I saw that one as well.”

They continued talking until their plate was empty. There were many patrons who entered Zoe’s family diner. Most of them were regulars while some were travelers who got attracted to the reindeer on the entrance.

Since there were still a lot of customers entering the diner. The two of them vacated the booth and went back to the clinic where they found Owen eating his lunch on the side of the clinic. There was a small herbal garden next to the clinic and Karl had allowed Owen to eat there. He also noticed Shaw and Clive watching the wagon they used to deliver letters and packages. Other than being a wagon master. Shaw also delivered medicine and materials for medicine to other places.

When they noticed them arriving. Alicia went in first while Karl greeted the two.

“No trouble, I hope?”

“Now you wound me, Doctor!” 

Mr. Shaw reacted as if he was  accused of something. Clive waved his hand and told Karl what happened to their deliveries. There were trouble with some folks, but with Mr. Shaw acting like a shotgun messenger. No one dared to cause trouble.

“I have been behaving! Even the Police Chief was surprised that I turned straight! Hehe, he even told me to work well while positively not putting his hand on his holster this time.”

“Good for you. Clive?”

“Been driving the horse well. Got no trouble, but there were thugs on the eastern side, you know that part near the stone bridge where you can see that fallen wall? Yeah, we got some folks who were trying to take a look at the medicine.”

“Inform the law if there really is trouble. I’m okay if you fire warning shots like Viole said so. We know that things are not stable so there might be others who are trying to score some loot. Mr. Shaw, you know the provinces well, do you have any other associates who’d like to try and turn straight.”

Shaw nodded while wiggling his finger.

“Thing is Doc, when I was riding with this fool yesterday. Some of the associates of mine who at least had sons wanted to know if they were hiring. Now, I don’t dare to assume the President’s nature, so I told them that they must earnestly try to get hired as a guard for the company. I think Prez said that we needed more protection since there are folks who are eager to cause trouble!”

In fact, Shaw really was a good choice as a wagon master. Not to mention that he was also keeping up with the other wagon masters overseeing the post wagons.

“Also if the roads are going to be better. We’ll switch to automobiles. So this fool here has to learn how to drive a truck soon,” he elbowed Clive who was actually excited about learning how to drive a truck.

“Hmm, you served right?”

“Yup.”

“How come you haven’t learned?”

“We were using horse wagons. I think they use trucks on flatter roads while they keep the horse-pulled wagons on rougher terrains.”

“Makes sense. Is it the same for Owen?”

“He knows how to. But since he works in the clinic… I doubt he’d get his butt off that place.”

Karl inspected the duo in front of him. He had already asked the two why they even bothered to scam people of their money knowing how hard the law was going. Unexpectedly, Karl found a rather true answer.

“No one would hire us. Even the factory told us that we could only work in shifts and do you know how little they offer? Even the farms south here don’t hire farm hands since they have enough help. And the last job they can offer? Burying the dead. Who’d want to comb to the shelled wasteland? No one would dare unless they have no choice. So of course, if we have a job like this. Why wouldn’t we dare? Besides, that Mooney bastard has taken a lot of resources and other gangs don’t want to fight him. Hell, most of the fellers he has are veterans of the war! And they are armed to the teeth!”

After that he kinda understood why many folks here wanted to be hired by Viole. Not to mention that the business is expanding to the point that Viole was worrying if he was expanding faster than he should.

“Sounds troublesome.”

Karl sat on the table while Owen chewed on his food. Owen placed his lunch box aside and put it away. Mr. Shaw held on to his pump-action shotgun and looked at the iron sight. Clive checked on the horses.

“Anyway, if there is trouble just go to the head of security.”

“Alonzo probably knows what to do anyway. Better than some of the idiots driving without bringing someone to take care of them!”

Karl left them alone while he went back to his officer. Since it was already past noon, patients who were here for their check-ups approached the clinic. Owen guided the patients to the line while the rest gathered on the garden benches waiting for their turn.

Karl checked their pulse. Asked questions about their health and made sure to check if they have any problems with their muscles. Karl had realized that most of the patients were having cramps on their muscles. There were even some who didn’t notice that the back of their thighs were swelling. Musculoskeletal problems were not so common when it came to folk like them. It was hard to convince them to put their work aside because of their quota so Karl compromised by telling them to take their medicine and apply warm and cold medicine on it if they can. It would also be best if they see him if there is a tingling sensation. Folks naturally were resistant to the orders of the Doctor so sometimes Karl had to make use of their own fear. It was easy to scare them about not being able to work and going hungry more than their own ailing.

After the patients were gone. Karl started to close the clinic with Owen’s help. There wasn’t really anything to steal other than medicine and some of the cash in the strongbox that is kept in the safe so Karl was assured that no one was stupid enough to steal from Viole or even dare to rob the clinic when he and Shaw were hanging around the clinic. Not to mention were they even willing to anger the postmen who were now relying on their clinic for their good health? The smarter ones would understand, while the idiotic ones would still try.

Locking up the front door. Karl started the engine of his motorcycle and bid farewell to Owen. Alicia already left for the postal company. Shaw and Clive went drinking.

Karl usually takes the street next to Elford Street. He would stop by Louis and buy bread rolls from him. After buying his daily bread. Karl resumed riding his motorcycle while staring at the electric lights of the city. There was once a time where there were still aunties who would lit the oil lanterns. Nowadays they rely on electric lights.

The city changed so much and he wasn’t even here to witness it.

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