Frank finally finished. He had eaten one too many hoagies the night before, with one too many slices of cheese melted. Ah well. He exited the bathroom and went into the "living" room and hit the vo-comm button.
"Orderly?" He asked into the microphone. "I need some fresh air. You know, smoke a stogie, that kinda thing."
"Sure, sir." The intern said, not really paying attention. "Just be back in five minutes. You know how it is. Don't move further than 10 feet from the building."
"Yeah, yeah, sugartits. I'll be back faster than you can use the loo." He smiled. Frank always admired how clever he was.
With a fast walk to the outside, he had one of his too expensive cuban cigars in his mouth. He smoked for three minutes before dashing out of sight and getting into his car. It might have been a stupid idea, but he left a spare key inside a hidden pocket on the seat - just for this kind of occasion where someone else has his keys.
He was out of the parking lot and at his own house for just a second. He wheezed as he got to the top of the stairs, and got his medication, not stopping to take it. He could do that when he got back, he decided, because he was going to be in deep shit no matter what he did. Oh god, oh god this is one big clusterfuck.....
On his way down the stairs again, he ran into the old eastern European cleaning lady for his neighbor, letting herself out. She was a good three inches taller than him and wasn't shy in the slightest.
"Frank, I thought you was on vacation in Bermuda?" Nadia asked. "If I were you, I wouldn't waste my vacation at home. You will worry everyone if you are home. Chester is not at home, perhaps you'd like a drink? He would not mind, the rich bastard."
Oh motherfucking shit. Nadya is hitting on me again.
"Nadya, no, I'm in a hurry." Frank was getting annoyed. Of all the goddamn times he could run into the old woman it was now. He tried to brush past her
"Nonsense, Frank. You always have time for a drink. Zat is what you would tell me." She winked, not getting the point, as she went to block him.
"No!" Frank grunted, red hot anger creeping up his neck.
"Well then, a kiss for the road? You can do that at least." She leaned in towards him and all she could feel next was a sharp bite on the lip, drawing blood. As she fell back, shocked, and scared, Frank left like a bat out of hell.
"Oi..... zat man needs keesing lessons." Nadya said to herself meekly. "A fiery old british fellow."
As Frank drove in a mad panic back to the Lab, he could feel his blood pressure raising even more. What the hell was happening to him? As he pulled into the Lab parking lot, he checked his cell phone, which he had turned off until now. He had been gone 20 minutes. No doubt they'd have security all over him when he got back, but at least he had his medication and wouldn't die or lose the forty grand. Everything was alright. He'd treat Nadya to a spa or something when he got the money as a peace offering. He didn't dislike the woman, he just didn't want to be friends with benefits. She was older, bigger, and all in all a bit scary.
Frank got out of the car, door slamming wetly in the evening rain. He crossed his fingers and hoped luck would be on his side again.