I See Stars

The doctor tells me that he needs to check to see if I am ready to be released. I go back into the room that I just left and he follows me in. He tells me to lie on the bed, stare at the ceiling, with my arms at my sides. This should not take long, he says.

I am on my back. The doctor does not approach me. I cannot see what he is doing. I assume that he is using some advanced technology to scan me, like an X-ray or ultrasound machine. I say nothing and keep staring at the ceiling. It looks like a popcorn ceiling. The Vorkons may have advanced military technology, but they are not on the cutting edge of interior design. My thoughts are a series of tangents. The popcorn ceiling looks like the stars in a night sky away from the city, doesn't it? I am in a star chamber. I am in the Court of the Star Chamber. Yes, indeed I am. I think a little about the history of the original court - which king abused it? But I am interrupted.

The doctor speaks. "You are almost ready to be released. You do have a bruise on your arm where you yanked out the needle. I need to take care of that." He wraps a sleeve around my wrist. It extends to the middle of my forearm. The sleeve fuses together in such a way where I do not see a seam. My arm feels cool, but not cold enough that I am shivering. My forearm feels numb, but I can wiggle my fingers, and have feeling in the them.

I say, "I am trying to remember where my bed is. I know the red sector for sure. Section Six, bed 612, I think."

"Dorm Six, but otherwise correct," he replies.

"I hope that it is not too far away. Is there a hospital gown that I can put on? Or am I ready to wear normal clothing?"

1. I get a hospital gown and fuzzy slippers.
2. I get a loose pullover, shorts with an elastic band, and my old stockings and shoes back.
3. I get a flimsy excuse as to why I am leaving wearing nothing but the theraputic bandage for my left arm.

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