"Good morning Shirley, how are you? ....Good, listen, I was wondering if I really had to go to this physical thing? I know it is protocol, and of course I totally understand, but ...eh.... you've seen me right? You must agree that I probably end up in at least the top 5 of most perfect specimen you have ever seen. So are you not able to go ahead and just check mark that little box on your side?" It hadn't been the first time he tried, and just like the other times he was again not very successful.
He dropped his phone on the bed and stood in front of the mirror. With only his batman boxers on he admired himself. Now why does this need to go for a physical. Do they need the perfect example or something? His firm, Worthington, Grey and McCoy inc., had the crazy policy that every time a new project started the leading engineer needed a physical. It was understandable that an engineer should be able to complete his work, but the rule was invented when all leading engineers were older than 50. He did not see any reason for him to go, but secretary Shirley had assured him he was not allowed to start until the deed was done. She even went as far to make an appointment for him at Virginia Falls General Hospital this morning.
After getting dressed he walked to the kitchen where the good Lord had provided him with delicious smelling coffee. He poured it into one of his travel mugs so he could have it on the way. Looking around the apartment he noticed the emptiness, his stuff had still not arrived. The movers had promised it would have yesterday, but Dave had to sleep on the air mattress instead of in his king size bed yet again. He decided to make a mental note and call them later on. Grabbing his mug he stepped out the door out into the street he used to live on as a child.
His car was parked in front, and although the hospital was close he decided to get in it nonetheless. It took him about 5 minutes to get to the hospital and about 15 to find him a parking spot. When he finally did find one, he noticed it was parked as far away as his house was. Okay, so maybe it is not my day... At least the coffee tasted like pure heaven and not much later he stood at the hospital desk. He knew his way around, he had sprained, broken and dislocated more body parts than he cared to remember. When it was his turn at the counter he spoke to the receptionist. [color=FF0000]"Good morning, I have a appointment for a physical, under the name of McCluskey."[/color] She told him where to go and that he could wait in the waiting room until the nurse would call him in.
He walked on further into the hospital before he took a seat in the waiting room. To kill the time he picked up a Men's Health issue and started reading. He hoped it wasn't going to take long, he had a busy day ahead. He still had to think of something for tonight. If his stuff would not come today he just might go to the local bar to see if any of his old friends are there.
A sudden call on the radio gave Josh something to do. The police received a call regarding an abandoned car a few miles outside of Virginia Falls. Josh, who was on the outskirts of town already, offered to go and have a look. Since he was on a bicycle it took a while, but after 20 minutes he saw a red shiny mustang in the distance. Josh got of his bike and took a closer look. A sticker on the rear window betrayed it was a rental car, 'Riders of the lost Arc' was the name. The phone number underneath showed it was a rental company from the NYC area.
Taking his cell phone from his pocket he called the number of the rental company. "Good morning, this is officer Callahan from the VFPD." For the next two minutes he had to explain where exactly Virginia Falls was. "Okay, now that that's settled... we have found one of your companies vehicles abandoned on the side of the road. Can you please let me know under what name the vehicle with license plate HKR 5159 is registered?" He had to wait a while for the answer. "Yes, a red mustang." The gentleman on the other end of the line advised a name Josh hadn't heard since high school, Rachel Xue. The man seemed to have just as much trouble pronouncing the last name as Josh always had. "Thank you very much, please don't worry about the car, we'll have it fixed." In case the guy needed to know any more Josh gave him the phone number of the station for future reference.
Next he called the station over the radio. "It's officer Callahan. Can you ask Richmond garage to tow away the car you wanted me to investigate? It looks like it won't be moving by itself any time soon and it is kind of in a blind spot for somebody coming around the corner. " The lady on the other side of the radio confirmed she would give them a call. "Any sign of the owner, Callahan?" Callahan thought about his reply. "Just tell Mrs. Xue that her daughter's in luck with the reunion. And that we want her to be happy when she comes tonight, so no ticket this time." He didn't know if his boss would agree, but he wouldn't feel good giving someone, who already has to deal with a broken car, a ticket as well.
Josh grabbed on of the reflectors from his bicycles bag and placed it just before the bend to alert any on-comers. He thought it was best to wait for Mr. Richmond, just in case somebody would be coming for the car with less good intentions than his own. He surely wished he had brought a sandwich for the wait.