Albert in Wonderland

WIP

     "Albert, it's time for your meds."

     Albert looked up from his chair to see Evan standing there. Though he could easily be an imposing figure, standing six foot three and weighing two hundred and thirty pounds of (mostly) muscle, head shaved, heavy jawed and hands like hams, Evan managed to convey a manner that could put most patients at ease. He came by it naturally, though it is a part of the training for his job.

     "Hi, Evan. There will be a war breaking out today."

     "There's always a war breaking out. Everyday." Evan pushed the wheelchair closer for Albert to transfer to, although he was ambilatory.

     "Not true, Evan. Not true, at all. The current ratio of days when wars start versus when they do not is actually 2.78%. Bearing in mind that this does not count pre-existing wars or conflicts that cannot be accurately described as war."

     "I stand corrected,  Al."

     "The war will be between Mozambique and Zambia."

     "Imagine, that." Evan was used to Albert making predictions but they usually didn't involve anything this dramatic. Usually it involved things that were related to Albert's former vocation such as prime interest rates. Albert used to be a "statistical analyst" for some sort of brokerage.

     Evan wheeled Albert past Danielle who was in the hallway talking to Mozart. The two had been long-time friends and except for the fact that Mozart was invisible and was hard to miss bumping into him without Danielle assisting, it was an interesting one-sided conversation to witness ... most times. Evan noted that the conversation was a bit more animated than usual and he would have to report this to the charge nurse.

     "Coming through, Mr. Mozart." Evan slowed a bit to allow Mozart a chance to give space.

     "The initial battle will take place in ten minutes."

     Evan nodded. "I'll make sure to avoid it."

     Albert chuckled. "I know you don't take this seriously. And why should you?"

     "Well. Let's say I haven't been a fan of either prophesy or statistics. Unless, of course, you can  give me accurate predictions on sporting events or the lotto numbers." Evan replied

     Albert shook his head. "That may be where our interests diverge but it's not like the medical staff allows ESPN. As such, I can only work with the channels they allow and apparently news, cartoons and religious channels are still on the list. As long as the cartoons shown aren't too violent and the news isn't too violent and the Evangelist isn't too violent. I don't know if I could survive another 'healing' when Jacko gets excited enough to emulate one."

     Evan laughed. Albert was quite intelligent and a pleasure to be around .. as long as his meds were maintained.

     Albert generally preferred the news. It seems the news seldom helped with predictions that aided in creating fortunes that didn't involve interest rates and stocks. Albert was supposed to be really good at his old job. If Evan wasn't confused and bored with the details of that profession, perhaps the man he was wheeling to swallow pills would be his goldmine.

      Evan noticed a line of over a dozen. "You gonna be ok, while I go take a smoke?"

     "I've never let you're addiction to nicotine cause me undue anxiety. I'll just sit here and pray for your lungs."

     "I appreciate you, Al."

     "Better hurry. It's going to rain in less than five minutes."

     "And now you're a weatherman. See you in six." Even chuckled, checking his watch.

     Evan often wondered about the patients interned at Chelsey Neurological. 'There but by the grace of God go I.' was a phrase he shared with other, less empathic, orderlies. Perhaps, had he the education or drive, Evan could have been a counselor, pastor or even a psychologist. Or, perhaps due to his own circumstance, he was exactly where he was supposed to be, doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing.

     Even had managed to get some details on Albert from various sources. He was quite a brilliant analyst. Well paid, executive material, wife and kids, nice house, nice cars, nice vacations. One day he was mugged in the parking lot. He was beat severly in the head and left for dead, spent nine months in the hospital. And it changed him. He babbled incoherently most of his time there. Severe brain trauma. Evan was told that sometimes it'll trigger various forms of psychosis. 'How could it not?', thought Even. 'There but by the grace opf God ... '

     Stepping outside to the smoking area, Evan could smell the moisture in the air and see flashes of lightning off in the distance. A prediction of rain forthcoming was not an odds-defying stretch and Albert did have a good view of the window the last hour or so. Evan stuck a cigarette in his mouth, struck a match and let his mind wander to Panama. He often did that on his smoke breaks. Smoking always made him recall action there. Everyone in the unit smoked except for Franklin. He was as health conscious as Albert when it came to inhaling carcinigens. Franklin was the only one from the unit not to make it back alive. Stray shot, back of the head, instantly dead. Evan was cleared of charges. Others witnessed that there was no way to see Franklin popping up in the smoke. Never-the-less, it ended Evan's military career.

     Rain drops started hitting. Evan checked his watch. Four minutes, twenty seconds. Not bad, Albert, not bad. He snuffed out the remaining third of his cigarette and deposited it in zip-lock plastic bag he kept in his pocket for unfinished butts. Packs were expensive and he wasn't paid a decent salary. Walking through the day room he glanced at the World Cable News Network that was flashing a news bulletin across the bottom of the screen. But instead of announcing a celebrity death due to an overdose or another congressional stalemate over budget circumstances ... it announced that fighting had broken out in East Africa between Mozambique and Zambia. Evan stopped dead in his tracks.

     The screen displayed a fire burning out of control in a California forest region but the banner scrolled that 'A surprise full-scale attack by Zambian forces was made into Mozambique just minutes ago.' Then it was followed by 'The White House and the United Nations are expected to make an announcement within the hour.' Afterwards it highlighted the California fires and the current jobless rate.

     Evan was nudged by another orderly, Sam. "Hey, wake up. You look like you're in the same kinda trance most of the 'zombies' are in."

     Sam called any patient that exhibited sedated symptoms 'zombies.'

     "What's up?" Sam inquired, looking from Evan to the TV screen and back.

     "Nothing. Just thought I saw something about the fires that seemed weird. You know. Sometimes those planes get a bit close to the fire and I thought it went in. Photographic illusion."

     "Yeah, yeah. I think yours is done." Sam nodded at the dispensery door where Albert had just finished taking his medication.

     Evan hesitated.

     "Problem with this one?" Sam asked.

     "No. We're good."

     Evan had a pensive look on his face as he approached Albert. Albert didn't notice. His eyes were closed and he was nodding his head.

     "You look like it's hitting you fast, Al."

     "Yeah, I'm tired."

     "Lets get you back to your room."

     "Yeah, I'm tired. Back to my room."

     Evan avoided the path past the TV, skirting the day room. The patients already had their evening meal and showers. It was bedtime.

     Evan's mind was reeling. Albert had been dead-on. The weather, of course, was no surprise but the outbreak of hostilites in Africa was too much to be mere coincidence. It's not that conflict in Africa was a rare thing. But Albert got the details right on the money .... practically down to the second. And it seemed to be an event that caught the rest of the world by surprise.

     "Al, how did you know about the war?"

     Albert's head was lolling but he managed reply, "Statisssstical probability. But I'm better now. The voices got quiet. The conference call ended."

     Evan realized it was useless to ask Albert more details right now. His cocktail included a sedative on top of the similar effect his anti-psychotic medication had. Perhaps tomorrow will shed new light ... one way or another. Evan wasn't sure he would sleep as easily as Albert tonight.

(more to come)

 

Reviews

[Georgia Gypsy]

I am interested in learning more about the story,,,,so much left to the imagination at this point!
keep going jay, let me know when you add!:)

[Stacey Watts]

Wow this was quite a good read. I enjoyed and could spot your humor in it. Excellent job. I can't wait to read more.