doctor's duty

Of course, a candidate like Armin could not be left out. He was practically perfect, and in the answers to the questions he demonstrated this perfectly. The next day, he showed up for his first day of work. Waiting for him in the office was Zeke and an obscure, long-haired guy half a head taller than Arlert himself. There was a slight stubble running down his face that emphasised his pointed jaw. “Good morning, Armin. I'd like you to meet Jean. He's our critical care surgeon at the hospital.....” Their eyes crossed. Jean had already realised his fate. So the reaction came quicker than Yeager could say. - He will supervise your internship for the first couple of weeks. You'll work in the inpatient ward for the first time, and upon successful completion of your probationary period, you'll be transferred to the virology department. “Zeke, really? I'm an intensive care specialist!” “One thing doesn't preclude another.” “Have you thought about assigning trainees to more than just me?!” “Thank Eren" Zeke said with a little bit of irony, and then he picked me up and left the office. “Oh, and don't forget about the tour," the man threw in one last thing and disappeared from sight. “"An intriguing start..." “ Armin thought, glancing at the disgruntled employee.” “Okay, let's get going," Kirschtein continued more calmly and checked his watch. The working day was just beginning, so it was unlikely that work would come up right away. The boys left the office and walked down the corridor to the common hallway, from where they would go to the other departments. “Do you get a lot of interns coming in?” “A fair amount. And, for some reason, Zeke likes to point them at me.” “I'll try not to screw up.” “You better. I'm watching three more, and thank God they're on their way out. I don't know how they even got on the internship. “The boys went out into the lobby and turned down a corridor to the right. It led only upstairs and through a panoramic corridor further on. Jean took the newcomer to the first floor. “ What kind of fruit are you?” Armin spoke briefly about his small merits and managed to impress Kirschtein enough. “You're more credible, so I hope you won't be another fool.” The doctor hoped openly, finally going up to the first floor. A large plan of the building, or rather, an interactive map, appeared before them. “I won't let you down! “ “Yes, yes, well, look here," Jean began to point, while Arlert marvelled at the size of the hospital. - I'll tell you the main points. But this map you should know enough. We have signposts, but still, they can't always help. Armin nodded and continued listening. “In the north-western part, a stationary block begins. It runs... “ the doctor visually swept his finger. “All the way west to the end of the building itself. It's lined with all sorts of technical rooms. All along the eastern and partly central-eastern part, run all our research blocks. In the centre and the rest of the hospital are various cubicles and other rooms. “ “This is all on the first floor?..” “There are five floors in total. As I've shown you, it all flows through each floor in its respective zone. Behind the hospital itself we have recreational areas and dormitories, as well as storage areas.” “Dormitories?! Why?” “Why? “There are a lot of visiting doctors who don't have the money to rent. So they come to us. It's close to work, and it's low rent. “Yeah... I'm sorry for the stupid question.” “Yeah, never mind. Now you'll be…” Jean went further down the left corridor, and Arlert followed him, not sinking for a second into his thoughts. And Kirshtein could see it in the newcomer's eating gaze.” You'll be staying mostly in the stationary block, with a few visits to the research block. Just because that's where you'll be working soon. And I think a lot of the other staff will take you there.” “Do the scientists in the research block work in the stationary block? “Yes”. “Yes. Yes. Not all the time... I'd say less, but they do.” They went on, and after five minutes they reached the stationary block. As it was morning time, there were hardly any staff in the corridors. Rarely there were nurses in the corridor. It was quite a contrast to the noisy hallway. It was quieter here. The sound of fluorescent lights could be heard many times more clearly. There weren't many windows yet, so they were on almost constantly. But, unlike standard hospitals, the corridor of the hospital was quite wide and led into small nooks with other rooms and offices. Seriously, one way to the technical rooms was quite tricky. And Kirshtein also started to take Kirshtein around it, where he could get some materials, sit and do things that were not accepted in the general hospital. And also these technical corridors, a floor above, led to a common small staff canteen. But the newcomer and the attendant went back out, and Jean also showed which parts of the inpatient ward certain patients were lying in. The hospital was already quite extensive, and it took a little over an hour to get round it. During this time, there was a little more staff in the corridors, and many patients woke up walking through the white-washed corridors. And after the resuscitator led him to the corridor separating the general hospital from the research block. And now, for a few metres, there were explanatory stands telling about the departments and the main people from them. “If anything, you can read this whole brochure later. I'll give you the basic information," Jean slowed down considerably. - There are six areas we're working on. The most important is, of course, virology. That's where we have the most budget, staff and materials to work with. Arlert was no longer looking at Kirstein, running his gaze over each booth and, if not reading the general information, looking at the department heads. “Second is the ophthalmology department, next came surgery, neurology, dentistry, and by far, the smallest department, the somnology department.” “There's so much research... how does a hospital pull that off…” “I wouldn't know. I don't work with these smart guys. Do you need to explain what these departments do?” “No, of course not.” “"Thank God," Jean said with a laugh. If Arlert really needed to explain, his internship would end here and now.” “Can you tell me more about the supervisors?” “That's for later, now we have something to deal with," Kirshtein continued, slowing down, clearly deep in thought. “What? Maybe I can help.” “Yeah, that'd be good. I'm an intensive care surgeon, and you're a hospital worker... I'm supposed to keep an eye on you, but at many times it can be problematic....” “Because you're supposed to be performing surgeries” “That's right," the doctor finally became stumped and stood still, as if he had really hit a dead end.” “So, you're a surgeon-resuscitator in a particular field? No.” “No. But I don't do all the surgeries.” “That means you have to be assigned to a certain hospital.” Jean realised what Arlert was getting at. “Well, your head's working. “Well, it's working. I have a good feeling you're going to be easy. “Good to know!” “That means you'll be working in the hospital I'm assigned to, that's all. Let's go back and talk to Historia.” “Who's that?” “Oh, that's one of our head nurses. She's in charge of the whole hospital.” “She's a tough aunt, isn't she?” “I wouldn't say so. But don't slip up!” “Naturally!” The doctors found themselves back in the corridor of the hospital. While they were walking, the intensive care doctor's watch vibrated. So much so that the new guy heard it. “Fucking hell, already?!” “What?” Jean looked at the information on the smart watch. It was morning, hardly anyone needed emergency treatment. So someone new came in. And there was no assigned number. “This clock says you need to report for surgery. It's not an emergency. Apparently, someone needs an emergency.” “-Should I... wait here? “ Arlert asked fearfully, realising that his mentor was likely to be unnecessarily nervous. “Come on, let's go. You'll see how it's done" Kirshten replied casually, and walked briskly down the corridor. It was exciting. Armin would be able to watch the operation live. Of course, he and his classmates had seen enough in practice, but here... he would be watching it right at work! Especially since it's an emergency operation. Something serious. It could be minutes. That made the excitement for a strange soul grow. “What happened? “And now we'll find out," Jean answered almost indifferently as he entered the staff room. In his locker he found a dressing gown with some scuffs. “Remember, this is where we get the gowns for surgery. The ones that aren't supposed to be for them.” “You got it!” “"So... calm..."” Armin realised that all doctors sooner or later get used to their work, and such operations would not bother them. Yes, and if the doctors worried about all the operations and the person on the gurney every time, would move their heads. But now the future specialist has come face to face with it. Calm, measured and a touch of indifference. A professional, beautiful and yet strange sight. Without saying anything, Arlert put on the special, soaked in the coolness of the air conditioner, and followed the doctor. “"Why do you even care? He's been working for years, of course he'll be calm..."” The future scientist looked at his hands. “"And you'll... get used to it... Especially since you won't be here long." “the kid reasoned, and that thought helped cheer him up.