The individual choice plan isn’t on the list
Forward: The scene is set in the distant future. The world changed, and the human condition suffered as a result. There are new standards, and rules. And the new rules only apply to those not on the list. Furthermore, there is only one way to get on the list.
The list is the key. It’s the who’s who of this world. Get on the list and you get the prize. Denny isn’t on the list. Not yet anyway. He is just in the hospital. Oh, it is nice. Except for the blinding pain, and the obvious poor condition, of his condition. The doctor is still out on his condition, so to speak. In other words, they don’t know anything. Denny is beginning to think it isn’t just his condition they don’t know anything about.
He immediately changes his train of thought. Surely they will find out what is wrong. That’s what doctors do. They research their patient’s condition, and form a hypothesis on the diagnosis. Perhaps they come up with more than one theory. A well rounded plan with options. Denny changes the channel on his TV. At least he has a room with a TV. The Price is Right, is on the game show network. Now Denny starts thinking about cosmic connections.
The Individual Choice Plan
It doesn’t take long to see something is wrong with patient x103. In fact, Josie recognizes the condition of the patient right away. Therefore she handles it the way the school taught her. Begin the admission form, and fill in the relevant information. As always the Reason for this Visit section is marked unknown. Under the name of patient section on the form, the system generates a number. Now Josie has a name for the customer. The patient, that is. Patient x103.
Once x103 is tagged, they move him. Josie will not see patient x103 again, and that is okay with her. The process is the same as always, and the numbers are soon forgotten. If all goes well with the standard treatment, patient x103 will have a visit from the release form department. However, Josie hasn’t seen anyone from that department in a long time.
She stops scrolling for a minute to consider this. When was the last time she saw anyone from that department? A notification from her device signals a reaction. Josie goes back to scrolling, and forgets all about the release department. And patient x103.
Not On the List
Denny is trying not to cry. The pain is beyond belief. He tries changing the channels on the TV. Maybe there is something on the TV to distract him from the pain. Furthermore, he pressed the call button for the Nurse an hour ago. They brought him a small dose of pain medication. And then made clear that pain management is his responsibility. Those who are not on the list, are only allowed one dose of help, per day. Now his stomach is hurting even more.
With this in mind, he waits patiently for the doctor to arrive. Soon he will have some answers. This can’t go on for long. His insurance coverage isn’t enough for more than a couple of days in the hospital. Although the insurance is the best money can buy, he isn’t on the list. Therefore his insurance is limited. At least he has it. Many are not so lucky.
When the doctor finally arrives Denny feels relieved. At least now he will know what is wrong. The doctor begins by reminding Denny that he isn’t on the list. This means Denny is only eligible for the standard treatment. Only those on the list received a personal diagnosis. However, Denny has insurance so the doctor is somewhat jovial in the meeting. They schedule the standard surgery for his leg and the doctor leaves.
Individual Choice Not the Only Problem
The rest of the evening Denny lays in the hospital bed in pain. His leg is fine. In fact, it makes no sense to operate on his leg when his stomach hurts so bad. However, he isn’t a doctor, and he isn’t on the individual choice plan, so what does he really know? He has become x103. The doctor didn’t do an examination. There is no need when the standard treatment is the plan. The standard treatment is for everyone not on the list.
Only the ones on the list have the option of individual choice. Denny is getting a leg operation because that is the standard treatment they give everyone not on the list. Everyone limps as a result. And interestingly, if someone isn’t limping, they are most likely on the list. At this thought something in Denny changes. Something deep in his mind clicks, and for the first time ever he feels like an internal light switches itself on.
He didn’t need his leg fixed, damnit. There wasn’t anything wrong with his leg.In fact, his leg is so healthy he can use it to get the hell out of here. So he does. The pain is excruciating, but the decision to leave invigorates and inspires him. Therefore he is dressed, and at the door of his room, within minutes. He must be careful not to be seen. No one leaves the hospital without release forms. Ever. It is a punishable offense. So Denny knows he will have to be quick. And lucky.
To be continued…
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