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Post by Jordanna on Dec 14, 2008 23:31:41 GMT -5
Proteus glanced at Thayer. Well, here's your chance to prove how well you protect your sources...
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Post by skybright on Dec 14, 2008 23:42:06 GMT -5
Thayer drew himself up to his full height (which was considerable, when he wasn't slouching), and the veneer of laid-back affability cooled somewhat. "The New York City Health Department sent us, sir." He replied. "My direct supervisor is the chief of the department, Doctor Martin -- and we're here to make sure this clinic isn't posing a hazard to the health or safety of the citizens of New York."
"And we're within our full legal rights to do so." Doctor Albert said frostily, extending a stack of forms to the fuming Doctor G. "Our documentation."
Doctor G. snatched the paperwork out of her hand and wheeled to fix his employees in a furious glare. "What have you told them?"
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 14, 2008 23:53:58 GMT -5
Reverting to something of the Robert Strait act, Proteus shrugged a bit more calmly than the real Beaudry would probably have felt. "We've shown them that all of our paperwork is in order too, sir. I have no idea what more they want than that."
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Post by skybright on Dec 15, 2008 0:03:11 GMT -5
"We want to examine the clinical wing of the premises, for starters." Doctor Albert interjected. "And we want to discuss the exact division of labor among your employees."
"There's also the small matter of your personal paperwork, Doctor . . ." Thayer trailed off with a significant look.
Doctor G.'s grip tightened, crumpling the papers in his hand slightly; but after a moment he regained his composure and turned back to the Health Department agents. "I'm working here in a strictly supervisory capacity." He said flatly, "My personal details can hardly enter into it -- a fact of which I'm sure you're quite aware."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 15, 2008 23:10:04 GMT -5
"The gentlemen and the lady don't seem to care that neither of us actually work with patients, sir," Proteus remarked, taking on a cynical tone. "We're fair game just for working here."
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Post by skybright on Dec 16, 2008 1:25:34 GMT -5
"We're only interested in the welfare of the citizens you're looking to treat." Thayer retorted. "That includes their right to be fully and correctly informed about their medical treatment -- and their right to receive that treatment only from those who are qualified."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 16, 2008 21:06:38 GMT -5
Proteus shrugged broadly, giving Doctor G. a See what I mean? look--although the expression was likely lost on the sour-tempered doctor.
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Post by skybright on Dec 17, 2008 22:35:28 GMT -5
Doctor G. waved one hand dismissively. "And delaying our work is naturally nothing but an inconvenient side effect. Spare me your polite little public-relations sound bites and let's get on with it."
Thayer shot a glance at his partner. "All right, then -- in that case, we'd like to see your medical facilities."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 19, 2008 22:42:19 GMT -5
"I don't know what you expect to see right now," Proteus remarked. "Seeing as our research hasn't even started yet."
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Post by skybright on Dec 20, 2008 1:09:46 GMT -5
Thayer shrugged, once more taking on an air of affability. "The first step in our procedures is to review the clinical facility and make sure it meets standards." He replied.
"Very well." Doctor G. said icily, stalking towards a door on the opposite side of Steph's desk from the hallway. "Follow me, then."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 21, 2008 22:32:46 GMT -5
Proteus followed a few steps behind the doctors and Health Department agents. He was just as interested as Agent Thayer in seeing the real medical workings of the clinic--he only hoped the equipment wouldn't be completely beyond his understanding.
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Post by skybright on Dec 21, 2008 23:49:23 GMT -5
Doctor G. pushed open a pair of swinging doors and flipped on the lights as the rest of the group followed him inside. The room within was immaculately clean and sterile-looking, with several smaller areas defined by partitions, wheeled curtains, and furniture. Most of the equipment and tables were covered with spotless white dropcloths.
Doctor G. waved one hand somewhat impatiently over the scene. "Our clinic."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 22, 2008 21:54:51 GMT -5
"As you can see, it hasn't exactly seen much use yet," Proteus added dryly. "We like to keep things tidy, so try not to get any fingerprints on anything."
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Post by skybright on Dec 23, 2008 1:07:13 GMT -5
Doctor Albert shot Proteus an annoyed look which may or may not have been faked. "And who staffs this wing of the clinic, exactly?"
"Myself, Doctor Cohen, and a colleague of ours who isn't here at the moment." Doctor Voegel broke in. "You're welcome to examine our certifications, if you like."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 23, 2008 23:25:43 GMT -5
Proteus frowned. So there's still yet another doctor in the woodwork. Besides whoever's really calling the shots behind all this...
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Post by skybright on Dec 23, 2008 23:32:35 GMT -5
"We'll do that." Thayer told Voegel.
Albert turned and gestured to the other health department agents, who fanned out and began examining the equipment. She turned to Proteus. "Since you're so concerned about fingerprints, Doctor, I'm sure you won't mind uncovering that equipment for my colleagues."
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 23, 2008 23:41:54 GMT -5
Proteus shrugged and began to move about the room, carefully unveiling the bulky shapes. The technology meant little to him; he thought he recognized one device as an X-ray machine, but the rest were unfamiliar.
On most of them, any sign of a company name or label was conspicuously absent. Proteus wondered if the enemy was designing its own mysterious equipment--and if so, what Thayer and Albert might do about it.
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Post by skybright on Dec 23, 2008 23:54:30 GMT -5
Thayer and Albert's fellow agents moved among the equipment, making notes and examining various control panels. Doctor Voegel strode across the room with an irritated scowl, watching the agents like a hawk.
Doctor G. scowled at Albert. "No doubt you'll also want to look over our calibration certificates." He waved irritably at Steph. "Miss Andruss, that would be the leather binder in the top drawer of your filing cabinet."
She nodded and scampered out of the room, looking relieved to be temporarily out of range of her ill-tempered employers.
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Post by Jordanna on Dec 24, 2008 0:01:05 GMT -5
Proteus glanced speculatively at the assemblage in the room. Seeing that they were all preoccupied with the machines, he slipped out the door and followed Steph down the hall.
"Lemme take a glance at that folder," he murmured. "I don't guess it'll mean head or tail for me, but who knows."
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Post by skybright on Dec 24, 2008 0:12:31 GMT -5
Steph glanced up at him, worried her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment, and then handed the folder over. "Just be quick about it -- you know how he is."
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