It’s Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we ended on a macabre note. Mrs. Worthe wanted some collateral from Ben to back up his guarantee of silence. Since Ben does not have any money, Mrs. Worthe decided a good bit of collateral would be his right thumb. The idea of Ben losing his thumb was a cringe moment in the story. Let’s go back and see if Mrs. Worthe is going to follow through on her threat.
“My right thumb? You’re kidding right?”
“Well, Ben I don’t see that you have a choice. You don’t have any money or something of value to use to back up your word to remain silent.”
“Y-you can trust me Mrs. Worthe. There is no percentage in me talking to anyone about this. I get your point. I’ll be quiet honest.”
“You are right-handed aren’t you Ben?”
“Yes, Mrs. Worthe. Please, I’m begging you not to do this.”
“Let me see. If I take your right thumb then even holding a pen would be difficult. Wouldn’t it?”
“I-it w-would be impossible M-Mrs Worthe.”
“Oh look Ben. This room has all kinds of sharp tools. Here is a staple all wrapped in a sterile package. I’ll just bet a couple of swipes with this baby and that thumb would drop off.”
“M-Mrs. W-Worthe. W-what will it t-take to get you to stop.”
“Here is a pair of scissor looking things. I wonder what they use these for?”
“Mrs. Worthe. PLEASE.”
“Yes, Ben. What is it?”
“Isn’t there anything else I could give you to show good faith?”
“Let me think Ben. What do you value?”
“I have my car.”
“No that heap may be something you like but not for me.”
“Books, clothes, my class ring from high school.”
“Ah, your class ring. Where is that ring? I don’t see it on your finger.”
“Alexis has it. She is wearing it.”
“So you value the ring?”
“I do. It is something Alexis and I share.”
“And you value Alexis don’t you?”
“Y-yes I do.”
“You know Ben I think you and I can strike a deal.”

Wednesday Story Day again and last week we left poor Ben pleading with Mrs. Worthe not to give him a shot. She threatened him with the prospect of being given too much of the sedative and possibly severe disabilities as a result of the medication. The final kicker was her offer to take care of him. Buwahaha. Oh, wait. I had to laugh at that offer. Just imagine Mrs. Worthe taking care of Ben. Let’s join them back at the ER and see what Mrs. Worthe has in store.

“Mrs. Worthe do you really have to stick me?”
“Ben my boy. I don’t have to do anything. It is really up to you.”
“Up to me?”
“Yes. We can do this the easy way or the hard. It has to be your choice.”
“I take the easy. What do I have to do?”
“Well for starters you need to keep your mouth shut.”
“Okay, I can do that. What else?”
“Not so fast young man. You have given me your word not to talk, and then I find out you are blabbing to everyone in the place including calling for a priest.”
“I’m sorry. I just felt so very alone. I needed to reach out to someone.”
“Well looks to me like you’re reaching out to everyone.”
“Yes, you are right. Let’s just say I panicked.”
“I don’t particularly care for people who panic Ben.”
“How can I make it up to you?”
“Let me get back to you on that, Ben. For now, we need to take care of the present problem.”
“P-present problem?”
“Yes, Ben. You are a significant liability, and unfortunately, I don’t trust you to keep your word.”
“I promise I’ll keep quiet.”
“A promise is not enough.”
“What do you want then?”
“It’s not what I want Ben. It’s more a matter of what I need from you.”
“M-Mrs Worthe. W-what do you need.”
“A guarantee that you will not talk.”
“You have it.”
“What kind of collateral are you prepared to put up to back your guarantee?”
“Collateral? I don’t have any money. You know that.”
“Oh, Ben. I need something a little more important to you than money.”
“Okay tell me what it is and you can have it.”
“Your right thumb, Ben.”

Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we witnessed poor Ben trying to get the attention of the hospital staff to the fact that Mrs. Worthe is behind plans to blow up the Student Union. We left Ben stopped to a gurney heading back to the examination room. None of his pleas were taken seriously. Let’s go back and see how he is doing.

“Hello, Ben. The orderlies tell me you are a little upset.”
“Get away from me Mrs. Worthe. I know you have everyone on the payroll here so at least, be decent enough just to leave me.”
“Ben, Ben, Ben. You poor upset soul. I wouldn’t leave you in your time of crisis. I’m here to help you.”
“Crisis you say? The only crisis around here is being anywhere near you.”
“Ben, you are starting to hurt my feelings. Here let me get the hair out of your eyes. Why Ben you are burning up.”
“Don’t touch me you bitch.”
“Now Ben. You need to play nice if you want to get out of this hospital in one piece.”
“What does that mean?”
“Take it any way you want, but I’m trying to save you, and you keep spitting in my tea so to speak.”
“If I could move I would do more that spit.”
“Big talk from a little man. Hold still Ben. I’m going to give you a little shot.”
“A shot? No, don’t do it Mrs. Worthe. I’m sorry. Okay, okay, okay. You win. I’ll be quiet.”
“It is just a calmative Ben. Of course sometimes when we don’t have an accurate idea of the patient’s weight we could give a little too much.”
“I said I’ll be quiet. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“And then the patient may or may not come out of the coma.”
“Mrs. Worthe. Are you hearing me? I’ll shut up.”
“Of course, when the patient does wake up if ever they usually have severe disabilities requiring constant care by their loving family. You don’t have family do you Ben?”
“Mrs. Worthe please put that syringe away. I’ll play ball.”
“You know I was a full-time nurse. Maybe I could take care of you, Ben.”
“Please, Mrs. Worthe. Listen to me.”
“What’s that? Ben?”

Wednesday Storytime again and last week we left Ben and Doctor Wente alone. The doctor asked Ben if there was anything he needed to tell him. We need to get back there to see if Ben has the guts to tell the doctor what really happened. If he does, then maybe the doctor can help him.

“Anything I want to tell you?”
“Yes, that’s correct. You want to let me know how this wound really happened?”
“W-what. You don’t believe I was jumped by a gang?”
“No, Ben I don’t. There are too many inconsistencies.”
“Like what may I ask?”
“For one, you don’t get GSR and a burn on a shot that is not close to the wound.”
“GSR?”
“Man, don’t you watch any of the crime scene shows? Gun Shot Residue.”
“Oh. Maybe the shooter was height challenged.”
“Yeah, amusing.”
“What else?”
“People don’t often pass out from fright and wake up remembering noting including not being shot.”
“It does happen, though.”
“Maybe one time in a million. You are not convincing on that score. I’ll bet if the police did a GSR test on your hand it would show you to be the shooter. I think you shot yourself, Ben,”
“Any law against that?”
“Well no as long as the gun is properly registered.”
“Hmm, doc. I don’t know what to say. I’m pretty much damned if I say anything and damned if I don’t.”
“So why not go for the truth.”
“When are the police going to arrive?”
“I haven’t called yet. So no one is aware. I’ll have to call pretty soon, though.”
“Okay here’s the deal. I was cleaning my gun, and it went off. I don’t have a permit, and so I wanted just to get treated and then talk to the police and be gone.”
“Well, that’s a problem now. I won’t be able to lie for you. My report will be you shot yourself. Do you still have the gun?”
“It’s home. Also, I have no idea who had it before me. There’s more.”
“More? What do you mean more?”