The Circassian. "Wrong Side"

by Bob Bidecant

E.3

  ‘That’s remarkable,’ said the doctor. ‘I can’t find a trace of it now.’

  ‘Really, said Levi.

  ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘I feel great.’

  ‘What have you been doing?’ The Doctor sat back in his chair and stuffed an unlit pipe in his mouth.

  ‘Don’t get angry, but I took some medicine from an old flower seller.’

  ‘How did she know?’ He was intrigued. Levi felt embarrassed.

  ‘She smelt my hand, she was blind.’ He said quietly.

  ‘I’ll be dammed,’ the doctor laughed. ‘Well whatever she gave you, worked,’ he lit his pipe. ‘Do you have any of it left; I would like to see what it was?’

  ‘I’m sorry I don’t, but I will go back and get another one for you.’ Levi stood at the spot where the old lady sold her flowers. She wasn’t there. He turned up his collar and blew on his hands; it was the coldest December in London on record. He looked up and down the street.

  ‘What, you looking for boss?’ Levi smiled when he heard the voice. He looked at the midget.

  ‘Where is the old lady?’ he asked smiling. “I want another bottle of her medicine.’

  ‘No chance of that I’m afraid, she’s dead.’

  ‘Dead?’ Levi said, saddened by the news. The midget pointed to the old wooden bench she used to sit on.

  ‘Died right there, see she was homeless, Boss, she froze to death last week.’

  E.4

  ‘Wake up you bastard it’s time for a wash.’ shouted the male nurse. He took one arm and a female nurse held the other. Deemed as highly dangerous by Doctor Beverly chains held the padded restraints around his wrists and ankles. He was pumped so full of laudanum that he allowed the two nurses to handle him as they wished, his legs buckled under him as he stood up. He had been in this state for over two months. The nurse lifted his arms and passed a rope around his shackles. The second nurse wound the rope up. He hung like a slab of meat in a slaughterhouse.

  Josh hurried along the corridor, he didn’t like this part of the hospital, the sounds of the inmates scared him, screams were always heard from this part, even late at night. He slowed as he approached Jaak’s cell. It was the first time he had seen the door open since Jaak had been brought back. Josh moved across to the opposite side of the door fearing Jaak would spring out. He stayed close to the wall, trying to keep his gaze at the floor as he passed, but instinctively looked into the cell as he did. Josh stopped in mid stride. The man hanging naked from the chains was incapable of hurting anybody. Josh looked at his face, his eyes stared into space, saliva ran from the corner of his mouth, he was almost comatose. The male nurse finished washing his back and then span him around, laughing as he slapped the back of his knuckles down on his penis. Josh stared at his back. There was not a single scar on it. His back was completely unblemished. The male nurse looked up and saw Josh. He stood up and pushed the door closed with his foot. Josh turned and walked slowly back to his room muttering to himself as he passed the matron of the wing. She was engrossed in the newspaper in front of her.

  ‘God there’s been another woman murdered in Whitechapel, the papers call him “Jack the Ripper”. I swear there are more lunatics out there than in here.’ She looked up at Josh.

  ‘What’s the matter love?’ she asked him.

  ‘He’s not Jaak, he’s not Jaak, he is Mikael.’ Josh told her.

  ‘All right Josh I will tell the doctor, now go back to your room love.’ The matron smiled at him, patiently.

  ‘What is he talking about?’ the nurse asked her.

  ‘Absolutely, no idea.’ Replied the Matron. She continued reading her newspaper.

 

  E.5

  ‘Josh, get dressed and come with me.’ Said Nurse Davey O’Kane. Josh followed him outside and into a carriage. They drove for ten minutes and then the cab stopped. Josh looked up at the sign. “The London Hospital”

  ‘Come on Josh we are here.’ He jumped out and held Josh’s arm. They walked through endless corridors, Josh slowing down as he entered each one.

  ‘What up?’ asked O’Kane.

  ‘My boots are rubbing.’ Josh said.

  ‘Take them off then. Come on quick.’ Josh removed his boots and carried them by the laces. Finally, they came to a room in a very small corridor. A large policeman sat on a chair outside. He nodded and they entered the room. A large blue curtain completely hid the only bed that occupied the room hiding the occupant from sight. O’Kane pushed Josh forward towards the curtain. He held back scared. Then he heard a weak voice, almost a whisper and he smiled as he listened to the words and looked at Davey.

  ‘Ab, fucking romo, fucking vich, I hope you brought me some fucking grapes.’

  THE END.