Bajor: Clinic Cleanup"
By: Clarice, Orphan
, [RNPC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Margaret Rose MacAlister , Marine CO, [RNPC]
Sister Moira
, Clinic Director
, [NPC]
Stardate: 58206.29 1030
"That was great Doctor John," said the old woman getting up. She began removing dirty dishes from the table, "We have not been fed like that since the last time you were here."
"Thank you Sister," replied Wright as he handed her his empty plate. "The best food is still made the old fashioned way."
Clarice sighed, "I have to say I did miss the morning breakfast," are you sure that you have to leave again," she asked.
"Yes child," said Wright avoiding the use of the name Clarice. He knew that the young half Cardassian orphan did not like his nickname for her, "I will be here for a few weeks, then I must leave again." He wished she would let them call her something, because calling her child all the time seemed kind of awkward.
Madge had thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast and was in fact a hearty eater. “Here now, Sister, let me be helping ye,” she stood as she talked and began helping the woman clear off the table. “T’was indeed a verra good meal, doctor,” she smiled at Wright and then ruffled Clarice’s hair gently and good-naturedly. “And ye ate well, lass. ‘Tis time ta put some meat on those bones a’yers,” she teased the young girl.
Clarice smiled at Madge. She did not care for other people touching her, however, she let it pass. "I imagine that if Doctor John were here all the time I would be as big as a house," she said, still smiling.
Wright looked at Madge, "So what are you plans for the day?"
“I dinnae have anything specific in mind,” Madge admitted. “I may do a wee bit of…. Exploring..” she said, although her tone might have given Wright the impression that she was going to do more than just explore.
"That might not be a bad idea," said Wright, He rsisted the urge to tell her to be careful; it was not necessary to tell a Marine to be careful.
Wright turned to Clarice, "And how about you? I suppose that you are going to go sneak around and look for trouble."
Clarice looked at the table in front of her, "Actually, I was thinking that I might stay here and help you today."
Wright was about to respond when an hand reached in and touched the young orphan's forehead, "You are going to stay here," said Sister Moira with a playful smile on her face, "Are you sick?"
"That is not funny Sister," protested Clarice, drumming her fingers on the table.
Madge quirked a brow as she watched the young girl for it really *was* odd that she’d want to stay here. “Do ye have thoughts of perhaps one day becoming a doctor?” she asked.
Clarice sighed, "Do you think people will want to be treated by a half-breed doctor," she asked with a small hit of steel in her voice.
“In all honesty? I dinnae know,” Madge admitted. “But I would. And all my men would. And Dr. Wright would. And Sister Moira would. And I’d be willing ta bet there are more people like us than ye think, lass.”
Wright was somewhat startled by the turn of the conversation, "You must not make the mistake of thinking that becasue you experience prejudice from these people here it will be the same everywhere," said Wright, "The universe is a big place." Wright paused, "I had no idea you were even considering becoming a doctor."
Clarice shrugged, "I hadn't until you came back."
Inside Wright was sad. If this girl's dreams had any hope of coming true he needed to find her a family away from Bajor. He decided that once he was back on the Zion, he would make it a priority. "Well, you can help me today," he said, "But I do not forsee much doctor work. Today, I am going to work on the outside of the clinic. We need to clean and fix it up, so that the clinic looks like a proper clinic again."
"OK," she said with a smile, "I'll still help."
"Excellent," said Wright.
“Right now, I’m going ta help Sister do the dishes and then after I finish exploring, I’ll be at yer service, Doctor,” Madge smiled.
"Sounds good Major," said Wright, "Have fun."
"Indeed, doctor," Madge smiled at him and Clarice both and then disappeared into the kitchen with Sister Moira.
Wright and Clarice went outside and began the process of cleaning up the clinic. The outside of the building was covered in Bajorian words and other images. Wright shook his head, the words were not nice," I think we can wash most of this off," said Wright. He looked at several broken windows, "The windows will need to be fixed."
"I'll gets something to clean this up with," said Clarice. Moments later she returned with a couple of brushes and some water. The two of them began scrubbing the wall.
"You were married once weren't you," asked Clarice as she continued to scrub.
Wright nodded and continued to scrub.
"What was she like," asked Clarice.
"Well, for starters she was a Vulcan," said Wright.
"I've never actually met a Vulcan before," said Clarice. She swished the scrub brush around in a container of water and began scrubbing again.
Wright chuckled, "They are very logical and disciplined people and she was no exception."
"How did you meet her," pressed the young orphan.
"We were both doctors on a hospital ship," answered Wright, "Why so many questions?"
"Just trying to get to know you," she paused putting some effort into a bad word scrawled on the wall describing her heritage, "Did you have any kids?"
Wright helped her with the word she was trying to clean off the wall, "We never got around to doing that," he said, "she was killed by a Federation and Cardassian attack on our ship."
Clarice's face melted into a frown, "You have no reason to like Cardassians either do you," she asked.
"I have no reason to hate them either," said Wright.
"But they killed your wife," she protested.
"Yes they did," said Wright putting down the scrub brush, "But I cannot condemn all Cardassians for it." Wright looked at her, "Do you hate Bajorians," asked Wright gesturing to the now clean spot where the word had been, "They have not been very nice to you."
Slowly she shook her head, "Hate is not what I feel," she said, "I am not sure what I feel. Guilty maybe?"
Wright picked up his brush and began scrubbing again, "Because of what the Cardassians did to them?"
Wright stopped to survey the wall, "You can not blame yourself for what others have done," Wright paused, "You can only be responsible for your own behavior."
Clarice nodded and the two of them worked in silence until the had finished clearing the graffiti from the wall. Clarice tossed her brush aside, "I am sorry about your wife Doctor John."
Wright tossed his brush aside, "Thank you," he said.
It was about that time when Madge showed back up. Only she was not alone. "G'day ta ye, Doctor. Clarice," she grinned at them. "I brought along a few of me boys ta help out," she motioned to the four Marines standing with her, complete with tools and supplies.
Clarice started to protest being called Clarice but at the sight of the Marines she held her tongue.
"When I told the lads of the repairs needed at the clinic, they all volunteered. I only brought four." They all looked very strong and quite capable of doing anything asked of them. "Marcus Campanili, my XO," she indicated the tallest of them. "We call him 'Campy'. Scott Taylor.." she motioned as she talked. "We call him 'Visor'". Probably because of the dark wrap around shades perched on his nose, unlike the rest of them who were all, MacAlister included, wearing regular sunglasses. "Peter Singer. We call him 'Chords'. And lastly, Al Becket.. and he goes by 'Beck'.. Boys... Dr John Wright, and his very good friend." Madge finished the introductions.
Wright smiled at the newcomers, "Thank you, we appreciate the help, " he replied. "It does not appear too bad. We removed the graffiti but I expect that some sort of protectant needs to be applied to the wall. There are several broken windows as well."
“Campy” grinned over at him and motioned a thumb towards their pile of supplies. “What we don’t have Beck and Chords will procure for us,” he assured him. Even as he spoke the other three Marines began moving towards the building with their stash of supplies. “Where would you like us to start, doctor?” Marcus asked, as he pitched in with the other three.
Clarice watched as the Doctor and the Marines got to work. Broken windows were repaired and damaged areas of the building were patched. When it was all said and done the clinic looked better than it had in a long time. After the work was done, the Marines were treated to another one of Doctor John's home cooked meal, much to their enjoyment. The whole evening seemed to have an uplifting affect on everyone at the clinic, even the three patients. Clarice thought it was nice to see people smile again, at least some of them.
Before the Marines left the village they made arrangements with Jess to return in the future to help him clean up from the fire and put his house back together. It turned out to be a good day. Clarice hoped this was a sign of good things to come, although she wished that the Marines did not have to leave so soon.