17th October, 8am. Prison cell.
Oct. 17th, 2012 01:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
therealpm*Peter scowls as two DEFRA lackeys remove his bed and replace it with a hospital gurney, stomach still aching from the purging potion he'd been advised to take the night before (the DEFRA official's comment of 'You'll regret not taking it once you're strapped in." had not made the potion any more palatable, nor its effects less unpleasant). His scowl only deepens as he notices the straps- heavy and made of the same stuff as the collar, that hang from various points of the thick iron frame and a board on one side that looks like it functions as a very spartan arm rest. He's been given some loose cotton clothing to wear- his own possessions have been tidied out the door along with the bed. Peter did protest the books but was brusquely informed that he'd not be in any state to read them. The only thing left, apart from a cleared desk is the TV.
A side glance out the door shows two IV stands, several boxes containing tubing, needles bags both empty and full of various fluids, a neat stack of blankets and one very nervous nurse in the corridor outside his cell. The nurse seems to be sticking some sort of clipboard to his door and trying to explain something to Lindsay, who just looks baffled. Meanwhile, all the carpet in the room except for a small strip under the desk has been cut and rolled away. The stone below has been sterilised and bolts put in to hold the gurney in place. Peter supposes that stone is easier to wipe clean of any fluids than carpet and the thought makes him feel slightly sick.*
A side glance out the door shows two IV stands, several boxes containing tubing, needles bags both empty and full of various fluids, a neat stack of blankets and one very nervous nurse in the corridor outside his cell. The nurse seems to be sticking some sort of clipboard to his door and trying to explain something to Lindsay, who just looks baffled. Meanwhile, all the carpet in the room except for a small strip under the desk has been cut and rolled away. The stone below has been sterilised and bolts put in to hold the gurney in place. Peter supposes that stone is easier to wipe clean of any fluids than carpet and the thought makes him feel slightly sick.*
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 04:28 pm (UTC)Yes, magical suppressants are dangerous and detrimental. You can try neurofen, but I'm afraid it's never been shown to have any effect in these cases.
*The writhing body of Lucy, the first cure-case she'd seen, appears before her eyes. She remembers all the names of those she's lost. They deserve respect in death, the respect they failed to receive in life.*
You could try buprenorphine. It gave some relief in one of the cases I saw.
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 04:35 pm (UTC)*John grabs a pen and writes the word on the corner of a constituency letter he was reading through.*
Is there anything else you could recommend to try to dull the pain? Heat packs, for example; would they be of any use at all do you know?
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 04:46 pm (UTC)I've never seen heat packs used.
*It's been a long day. Molly feels a rush of truth bubbling to the surface, always a dangerous thing.*
To tell you the truth, Mr Bercow, I've never seen the cure attempted in anything other than a clinical setting. While pain relief was tried, there were no relatives or loved ones there to attempt less pharmaceutical interventions.
*In her mind's eye, she sees her hand, splayed ineffectually on the glass wall separating her from Lucy. Lucy had been one of her first patients; she'd been determined to risk the cure because, as she said, "I have a life to live! I'd rather die than be a thing chained to the wall for the rest of my days."
She'd died in pain, her feverish eyes fixed. Molly had turned away at the last moment, unable to watch.
Molly clears her throat.*
Heat packs may very well give some effect, if you feel up to braving the sickroom.
And...
Tell him that the victims are showing sudden and inexplicable signs of improvement. Small ones still, but the doctors are surprised and delighted.
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 05:03 pm (UTC)We'll attempt the-
*He looks at the page.*
-buprenorphine, in that case.
...yes, I'll be sure to inform him of that.
Thank you for your time, Ms. Cratchett. I do hope I haven't ruined your evening.
*He finishes the call and hangs up the phone.*
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 05:07 pm (UTC)*Molly hangs up the phone.*
Mona, I don't have to go in again after all!
...Yes, I know what time it is.
...Yes, I know that probably means I'll get woken up at 1 instead.
*She grins.*
Shall I make it up to you in the meantime?
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 05:37 pm (UTC)Ms. Cratchett doesn't think that neurofen would work, but she suggests buprenorphine instead, so I shall try and track that down for you in a moment.
With regard to other methods of pain suppression, it would seem that the previous cases Ms. Cratchett was involved in were at the department and, as such, pain relief was limited to drug administration, so heat packs and the like, as far as she was aware, have never been tested.
It's up to you what, if any, other methods are pursued.
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 05:51 pm (UTC)*Peter cranes his head to try and see out of the window.*
Are the shops still open?
*He winces as his arm throbs. He tugs cautiously on the other one.*
Could you undo some of these, and get a glass of water?
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 05:56 pm (UTC)*John summons a plastic tumbler of water and puts it down on the desk. He undoes some of the straps holding Peter to the bed and hands him the drink.*
How are you feeling?
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 06:02 pm (UTC)*Peter shuffles upright awkwardly, right arm still bound to the bed side so as not to disturb the drip.*
Like someone's taken every bloody bit of silverware in Westminster, melted it down, and forced me to drink it, only at least then the sensation would be confined to my digestive tract.
*He takes a small sip of water and continues.*
How did Ed do today?
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 06:09 pm (UTC)What I can tell you is that a Point of Order was raised after the session asking whether it is in order for the Prime Minister to refuse to answer questions put to him by the House.
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 06:34 pm (UTC)No of course not. That would be far too close to being an interesting topic of conversation.
Oh good. And did you pass judgement upon the matter? Tell me, which article, sub article, paragraph and line of Erskine May did you quote at length and from memory in order to make your point? Perhaps you could regale me with it now? Or even the entire chapter? I would read it myself, but as you can see, I am chained to a bed, an unfortunate happenstance that somewhat interferes with my ability to hold a book, though not as much as the confiscation of every. single. tome. by DEFRA agents seemingly bent on ensuring that if this 'cure' doesn't finish me off, the boredom will!
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 06:41 pm (UTC)I'll go and see to the buprenorphine, shall I?
*John makes a note on the pad and then goes to leave. He stops just before the door.*
According to Ms. Cratchett, the two have made "sudden and inexplicable" signs of improvement, much to the delight and surprise of their attending physicians. She asked that you be kept informed on such matters.
I will return shortly.
*John leaves to try and track down the drug the DEFRA officer suggested.*
Re: 8.30 pm
Date: 2012-10-17 06:46 pm (UTC)He resists the urge to heckle the guard on duty. Mostly.*