My Time in the ER
So,
After she left purgatory (the waiting room,) to go into limbo (waiting in the emergency room proper,) I tried to watch the tv. I’d already watched 4 episodes of Law and Order that night… in that room.. in that chair. My ass was numb. They were showing something called “Vanished without a trace.” It was an entirely uninteresting peice of shit show… but luckily I was so bored and uncomfortable that it became viable entertainment. It was about this time that Jimmy showed up.
He came OUT of the ER into the waiting area.. which was.. different. He stumbled quite a bit, and seemed dazed. I was wondering if he was supposed to have come out as he didn’t seem to be in a stabilized condition, but no obvious injuries other than a bruise/cut on his forehead.
Jimmy: Hey man, can I sit with you?
Me: Uh, sure.
Jimmy: What’re we watchin?
Me: Something about missing people… it’s not that great.
Jimmy: What happened to law and order? that’s a great show!
Me: It went off about 20 minutes ago, yeah it was pretty good.
Jimmy: Alright! Law and Order… man that was a hell of a shot they gave me!
Me: Uh.. it’s not L&O.. it’s–
Jimmy: You like L&O? that’s a great show.
Me: … yep.
At this point I’m getting a bit of a buzz off the alcohol fumes coming off of Jimmy. This explains the stumbling and rambling, but he seems to be friendly and in a good mood so no biggie. I wonder if he’s just had his stomach pumped for alcohol poisoning or something. We watched a bit.
Jimmy: I wonder if they’re looking for me yet.
Me: Oh, are you not supposed to be out here yet?
Jimmy: I’ve gotta wait 4 hours for my blood test, I got bored in there.
Me: Ah, nothing serious then?
Jimmy: Nah, I’m here all the time.. I could use a six pack. Let’s go get some beers!
Me: Heh, sounds nice, but I need to wait for my wife, she’s in there now.
Jimmy: You got a car man? We could go to a bar, it’s just down the street.
Me: No thanks, I really need to stay here.
Jimmy: Ah man.. maybe I should walk.. it’s kind of a hike though. And I’ve gotta wait for my blood test, I’m diabetic. That’s why they gave me a shot.
At this point a nurse peeks in and says “There you are! get your butt in here!” Jimmy get’s his butt in there. At this point I’m realizing Jimmy’s a regular, and probably not here for emergency care. The older couple sitting across from me is relieved that the “crazy guy” is gone. He was a bit off, but as I said, friendly… though the smell and attire weren’t exactly the stuff a nice old couple would be pleased with. I continued to watch the horrible piece of tv excrement that was showing. About 20 minutes later, Jimmy was back, came and sat next to me.
Jimmy: Alright, time for more Law and Order!
(I didn’t bother to tell him it still wasn’t L&O this time.)
Jimmy: This show is good.. but it’s all BS… it’s not really anything like that. I was a cop for 4 years. It’s all paperwork.
(one of the characters says something… he’s a cop, speaking to a rabbi)
Jimmy: See what I mean? Total BS. I dated a jewish girlfriend.. she was always telling me all this mystical religious mumbo jumbo. so much BS
(I make some vague noise of amusement.. not really knowing how to respond.)
Jimmy: You know how it is.
(I do? Ok.)
Jimmy: I’m a criminal too. Man, I am starving… where do I get food?
Me: There’s some vending machines outside
Jimmy: GREAT I’m Starving! You want something?
Me: No, thanks though.
Jimmy: I’m gunna smoke, want a cigarette? I’m 47.
(I’m not sure how those two statements were connected.)
Me: Nah.. I’m kinda keyed up as it is.
Jimmy: Alright, save my seat.
He disapears again for a while, comes back with a large danish and a coke.. and a pillow!
Me: Do vending machine’s have pillows now?
Jimmy: What?
Me: The pillow… you went outside to the vending machines.. eh.. nevermind, bad joke.
Jimmy: Oh! No I went in the ER and grabbed this.
He starts chowing.
Me: Wait.. aren’t you diabetic?
Jimmy: Nah, that’s just what I say.
Me: Oh.
Jimmy: Cop caught me sleeping on a bench, I was just taking a power nap, but he was gunna hall me off to jail. Luckily a nurse saw me and said I was waiting on something, so I’m hanging out here.
Me: ahhh..
(Lord of the rings commercial plays)
Jimmy: I read those books… the movies were good.
Me: I liked them ok. Second one kinda annoyed me at some points though.
Jimmy: I read harry potter to my nephew. It’s really cool because it’s written simple so I can read it.
Me: Did you see those movies too?
Jimmy: Yeah they were great.
Me: I thought so too.
Jimmy: I’m gunna have a cigarette you want one? We should go get some beers.
Me: heh, thanks.. I’ve still got to wait though.
Jimmy: Ok, I’ll be back, don’t let anyone steal my stuff.
Me: Sure.
At this point, a nurse lets me know it’s ok to go back in the ER and sit with
So… Was this guy a bum a nurse took pity on and gave a good excuse to hang out in the AC? Was he there for treatment? I really have no idea. He was quite amusing, we had more conversations that were a lot better but my memory is foggy due to the events and lack of sleep. He did scare a bunch of the more annoying/bitchy patients in the room, so that was nice. He was plenty friendly, it’s a shame the nice old couple across from me was so put off by him 
aside: The in pain bit is because I have a wisdom tooth that wants me to die.
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