sixwordstories | (no subject)

Hey, mind sharing some of that caf?

[Looks dead tired.]

*hands him a mug*

Drink it at your own risk. It's pretty awful. Caffeinated, but awful.

Thanks. And I'll take my chances. Has to be better then heated swamp water.

[He takes a tentative sip and pulls a face.] Then again...

[Still, he takes another drink.]

*smirks* I didn't make it, so don't blame me for how awful it tastes. It's better than nothing, though.

Yeah, that's true. [Ugh. Another face as he downs another mouthful. He hastily offers a hand.]

Oh, sorry! I'm Luke.

*she takes his hand briskly* Dakota.

Pleased to meet you.

You too.

Aren't we all.

I'm not usually one to complain about the interns but you'd think they'd realize it tasted like sludge.

It's still caffeine, though.

We got fresh coffee and papers at the store. 99 cents, but I think I'd be willing to part with a free cup to get that bad taste out of your mouth.

*a little smile*

That's nice of you.

Very kind of you to say. We know the importance of a good cup of coffee, god knows I'm not the brightest ball of sunshine in the morning.

*offers a Styrofoam cup with black coffee* We have some non-dairy creamer and some sugar. No sweet'n'low though, in a week or two maybe.

*she smiles, grateful* Ugh, thanks. I think just a little creamer'll do, I'm not too fussy.

*hands her the non-dairy creamer with a smile* Fair enough. I'm about half a packet of sugar and just a little bit of whole milk. Otherwise, I'll go black to make things easy.

Ever think of getting a french press. Makes coffee like nothing else and it's pretty easy to store, quick cleanup, and, i think, easiest way to make coffee.

I could probably keep that in my office, yeah. Wouldn't be a bad idea.

All you need is hot water really. I had a couple of office working friends who used to keep a french press around because they just got sick of the stuff they had. Used to swear by it.

Thanks for the advice, I might have to try that.

Sure, anyone I can save from sludge is one less victim *raises mug*

*a little laugh. She toasts him*

It's a noble goal.

Thank you, knew I'd find my calling eventually, aside from running my own business~~ruining my relationships~~

*a wry smile - she decides it's time to do the politeness thing*

I'm Dakota. Nice to meet you.

Dante *he holds out his hand* Pleased to meet you, Dakota~~is that north or south?~~

*laughs dryly* Haven't heard that one before.

*Dante chuckles* I really am surprised on that point. I mean, it's just so obvious.

So what do you do for a living that you're stuck with break room sub-standard coffee?

I'm a doctor.

Apparently, people around here have better things to do with their time than figure out how to make decent coffee.

Wow, general practitioner or are you specialized? Private practice, hospital or are you in between?

Anesthesiology, and a hospital. Not a very large or particularly excellent hospital, but a hospital nonetheless.

Ana...ane...uh...the stuff used to knock people out? Sorry my knowledge of medial terminology ends at about "turn your head and cough" and "it doesn't look infected".

So you're on staff to provide the chemicals necessary to knock someone out? Like make sure they get what they have to without doing some damage or am I over thinking things.

*a little smile* Yes. Anesthesia. In layman's terms, my job is to numb people up before they undergo medical procedures, be it locally - which is to say only in one area of the body - or generally - which would be, like you said, "knocking people out."

Ah, yes yes yes. I see, I see.

Now, I gotta ask is there any truth to people waking up during procedures? Or people being aware of themselves while under?

I've never witnessed that, although I'm sure it's possible. Extremely rare, but theoretically possible.

Wow, I'm surprised you're so frank about that. One would figure they would sweep that under a rug.

I'm guessing by the "never witnessed", you're quite adept at your job and take considerable pride in it.

*a bit wry* If I'd ever seen it happen, I might. But I only mention it being possible because, scientifically, it is. It's very, very unlikely though. I wouldn't worry about it.

*and... now a smile* I'd like to think I'm adept, yes. Precision and care are things I strive for in my work - nearly nobody really likes to be put under, especially by means of a needle, so I do try to make it as painless and swift as possible.

That's nice to hear, but only slightly disconcerting. Slightly. *Dante smiled to show he was pleased by her honesty*

Those are quite admirable, traits that is. I have to admit if I was in a situation and my life was in your hands, I think I'd be able to breath just a bit safer.

*she appreciates his straightforwardness, and smiles at the compliment*

Thank you. That's what I always hope to hear.