ways_infirmary | (no subject)

(no subject)

Bruce follows Guppy into the infirmary. He's not surprised to see Javert in exactly the same the same place he left him. He lies on his back, face turned away from the door. His eyes are open, but he doesn't show any interest in his surroundings. An empty water jug says he's been drinking water, but a plate of food lies untouched on the table within reach. The remains of his uniform sit on the chair next to the bed.

Bruce shoots a look at Guppy - see? - then he takes a seat across the room. He'll listen, but everything screams at him to leave this well alone.

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"We have left you alone for several days." Guppy says. "We would be doing you a disservice having you sit in bed all day."

He gets some towels out of a cupboard and passes one to Javert.

"Bathroom is through there."

There is a towel on his chest. Not at all the type of towel he is used to, but it is not hard to discern what it is.

'To bathe?'

His head is starting to hurt.

"Yes. That way, it will be a good start in all your food not tasting of sewer." Guppy says, gently but firmly, sensing that if he doesn't attempt to be a little assertive Javert will just sit in here and waste away.

"I'll get you some fresh clothes rather than that gown. Do you want them the same as your uniform?"

'No.'

That, at least, is no decision at all. He cannot wear a uniform again.

Maybe these are the rules, then. In an absence of any other options, he pulls himself to a sitting position. If it will make this man go away, he will comply. The towel falls off his chest, into his lap. He stares at it. A wave of hopelessness rolls over him, and his head drops.

But there does not seem to be any other option. And maybe this a part of some larger test? It seems a stupid thing to fight, and he is never stupid.

He gets up and walks, a little unsteadily, into the bathroom. Maybe they'll be gone by the time he gets out.

"You're right, this isn't going to be easy." Guppy says quietly to Bruce, as he pops out and gets some clothes. He returns with something vaguely suitable for Javert's era.

Bruce, in truth, was trying to hide a smile when Javert gave in to Guppy's matter-of-fact treatment of him. But nothing else about this is funny.

'I outright told him this wasn't Purgatory. He just won't hear it. Maybe he'll get the idea once you get him out of here.'

He looks to the bathroom door.

'He needs a shrink. I mean, I'm no expert. But unless you know how to get through to him...'

He spreads his hands. And then stops.

'Does he know how to work anything in that room?'

"He certainly needs psychiatric input, but it would probably help to acclimatise him first."

Guppy thinks.

"Good point. You reckon he's decent?"

'...only one way to find out.'

His face has rather you than me written all over it.

Beat.

"We can send a waitrat. Have you met the infirmary waitrats yet?" Guppy asks, going to the office to try and find them.

The older rat is curled up having a sleep on a little cushion. Two other rats are playing tetris on the computer between them.

"That's Aesclepius having a doze." he says. "He's getting on a bit so don't work him too hard. That's Work Experience bouncing on the space bar, and Backup is on the arrow keys. They're mirror images because Backup got sort of cloned from him during the apocalypse." Beat. "Can you two pause that for a minute, I need you to go and check whether the guy in the bathroom has clothes on and whether he knows how to work the tap."

He leans over and taps on the P button. The two waitrats scurry off towards the bathroom.

Bruce follows, because meeting the rats is probably a good idea.

He ends up staring. A lot.

'I've been Bound for months, and that is, without question, the weirdest thing I've seen yet.'

A moment later, the bathroom door opens. Javert is still dressed, and is holding one of the rats at arm's length, by the scruff of its neck. Guppy is getting the full force of his glare, as if the creature is some sort of personal affront.

Guppy moves over and very gently takes Work Experience off Javert.

"Don't worry, he's squeaky clean. Do you know how to operate the shower?"

Work Experience scurries up Guppy's shoulder, sits there, and makes vaguely rude paw gestures at Javert.

The rat is uncouth. And unnaturally gifted. He glares at it, then at Guppy some more.

'No.'

The sound of running water suggests that experimentation has yielded results in the bath. There had even been a moment of appreciation for the efficiency of this method of tub-filling, though there is no sign of it now.

'Go away.'

He shuts the door.

Edited 2013-06-24 22:16 (UTC)

"Okay. Sorry!"

Guppy takes the three waitrats, and starts writing a note for Charles.

"Bruce? Don't take that as a successful example for teaching."

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