episode 2: the tomorrow of dreams

"Code blue!" shouted Elise when she found out that her patient Mr. Elmira is already missing a pulse. In a flash the room is filled with random people, or health care professionals, as they like to be called, doing things that normal people would not even be able to understand. ECG leads are attached, Emergency Meds are being prepared, and a cardiologist bends down to pick up an apical pulse using his stethoscope. Utter chaos. Elise steps back to get a better view of the impending death that is approaching. 24 year old Elise would probably have a better understanding of death than most people in the room. She chose to be a nurse to be near death. She’s practically dating death. But every time death knocks on her patient’s doors, she refuses to answer. She just falls to her feet, eyes staring out in space, her long dark hair that she keeps tied up neatly falls of creating the impression of an insane woman.

"Elise!"
"Get her out of this room!" Yelled the obviously irritated Cardiologist. His voice echoes across the halls of ward 2c prompting 2 medical students watching the resuscitation to carry of the obviously dazed Elise out of the room.

“Martha, I will tolerate fear but not incompetence, I don’t want her attending to any of my patients” said Dr. Vasquez, head of the cardiology department in Philippine General Hospital and attending physician of Mr. Elmira. Elise’s “accident” during the code is the second incident of her blacking out during life threatening situations. Co workers are starting to doubt Elise’s competence and are hell bent on getting her out of the ward. After all prestige is the greatest price in a government funded hospital. And a loose cannon like Elise could easily remove any merit the ward receives with her “accidents”.

“Doc, I understand that your really pissed,” explained the head nurse Martha in a calm soothing voice that truly suites her matron like image. "But Elise is a good nurse. She has proven that with 2 unquestionable years of hard work and dedication. She is a great nurse, and that’s on UP standards” explained the head nurse while sorting out the charts on the rack.

"Tell that to dodong’s family, I am not the one who’s dead." Said Dr. Vasquez in a totally soulless voice. Dr. Vasquez is a very influential doctor on this very prestigious hospital. He can get nurses fired just because he does not like them. If not for Martha’s convincing speeches about second chances, Elise would be working on some sub standard public hospital instead of the great position that she’s in right now. After all, how many non-up nursing grads can get accepted to 1 of the most sought after hospital in Asia? But her luck may be running low this time.


“I don’t know how long I can cover her ass” whimpered an obviously exhausted Martha as she slumps down to her chair and bury her chubby little hands on her face.
“why don’t’ you just fire her. No one really likes her here” snickered Emmy, the short haired suma cum laude know it all charge nurse of ward 2c. It has been obvious to any one who has passed by ward 2c that Emmy hates Elise. Elise’s silent yet smart image truly irritates Emmy. Known for her”I don’t care who hears it” approach in insulting co-workers, everyone in 2c, not even 1, dares to get on her bad side. Her short hair and slanting eyebrows give everyone the impression that she can take you on a fist fight, regardless of her punitive appearance.

“I may have no choice” sighted Martha much to the delight of Emmy. Martha has always liked Elise. Even though she too is not spared by Elise’s cold aura. Her hypnotic voice and calming approach to everyone does not even break the barrier that Elise has created to keep everyone out. Much to the disappointment of Martha. A psychiatric nurse by heart, Martha has always been intrigued by the misunderstood. Her chubby exterior and excessive use of smiling hides behind a very scientific, methodical, even manipulative persona. The quiet, nearly deafening lack of communication skills, the emotionless stares, the fascination with the hospital rooftop, and recently, the “blackouts” during emergencies has tweaked Martha’s curiosity level to an all time high. This may be the reason why she took a very special interest on Elise. The weird attracts the weird. People with secrets would always have someone gunning for a revelation.