bloodsong1 | Pardon me whilst I dream...

She unlocked the door and quickly punched in the security code. A very annoying beep confirmed the system was deactivated. Snapping on lights, she worked her way up the hall and into the office she shared with the office manager. It was fun, being the first one here. Everything was quiet. Once the nurses and the office staff arrived, noise levels would rise from chatter, phone calls and who was in charge of the music for the day. She put away her coat and purse, put her travel mug down on her desk and and tapped the bamboo chime hanging over her computer. A clear, sweet tone rang out and she sighed happily. Now she was ready to work.

She plopped down at her desk, woke up her computer and checked her messages. Nothing urgent, good. There was a note from the physician regarding nonpayment on two accounts she had already submitted. She took the note with her to the records files and pulled the folders. Adding them to the pile of accounts she had to process today, she checked her emails. One insurance company had sent notice of database issues delaying payment. She printed the email twice; one for the file and one for the physician, and set those aside. The remaining account she put on her To Call list.

"Good morning!" The office manager sang as he walked in. She waved over her shoulder, still reviewing emails. "How was your weekend?"

"Lots of gardening," She replied, opening the patient database. "The wisteria is coming along nicely, but I swear the roses are suicidal. They're attracting every single pest they can."

"You've been saying that for weeks now. Roses are not suicidal."

"Never underestimate a plant's determination to die. I've watched it happen too many times."

"You're so strange!" It was said as a resigned compliment. She grinned at her monitor and reached for her headphones.

"This office was built on strange."

"That is the most obvious pun in the world!"

"It's still true. I'm plugging in now, give my regards the Magician."

"Marvel Geek." She flashed a thumbs up as she turned on her podcast and got to work, coding for Dr. Strange. Yes, it was an obvious pun, but sometimes she could swear the good physician's hands glowed and once she had distinctly heard him say "By the Eternal Vishanti!"