The Quadruple S Ordeal

Elizabeth sat in the waiting room, her leg bouncing up and down nervously. She had just filled out her paperwork and handed it over to the receptionist. Now all she could do was wait. She hated going to the doctor. Ever since she was a child, it was one of her most dreaded ordeals. She glanced around quickly at the other patients wait to be called. How come none of them seemed so nervous?

The only reason she was here was because of a job opportunity that was too good to pass up. Elizabeth had been a runner since high school, and was one of the best in track and field who ever graduated from her large school. That was last year. So far this year, job opportunities were slim. As college took up most of her time, she needed a simple job she would enjoy. This is when she spotted her dream job in the classifieds. “WANTED: Athletes to test running and sporting shoes of various styles. Applicants must be in prime health, and ready to push these shoes to their limit. The most comfortable experience while performing your sport is our number one priority. Work weekends only! Contact Quadruple S. That’s Super Supple Stylish Shoes at 555-5555.”

Elizabeth did not bother calling. She went in person to their location, as this seemed like the answer to her money woes. So impressed was Mr. Planum, the president of Quadrulple S, that he hired her on the spot, pending a physical exam to determine she was a healthy candidate. Elizabeth is discouraged when she heard this last part, heading towards the door with a “Thank you anyway” on her lips, when Mr. Planum quickly said, “Two Hundred.”

“What?” Elizabeth stopped, doorknob in hand.

“Two Hundred Dollars an hour,” replied the president. “That’s what we pay our testers. Oh, and also, you can work as many hours as you like during the weekend. And judging by your appearance, you’ll be able to test for many hours without tiring.”

Elizabeth took a few seconds to register this in her mind. A two hundred dollars an hour to do one of the only things she really loved?

“Ok, Mr. Planum. I’ll do the physical.”

That was yesterday. Elizabeth spend all that day and night dreading having to go to the doctor. Now here she sat, reminding herself as her nervous heart pounded, of the ridiculous pay coming her way if she could get through this.

The door to the back rooms opened, and a handsome male nurse stood, giving the waiting room and quick glance. “Elizabeth?” he called in a kind, strong tone. A shot of adrenaline surged through her veins as Elizabeth saw that this handsome man, a few years her senior, was going to take her into the exam room. “Isn’t it always female nurses at these places?” she thought as she stood up.

“Hi,” said, showing her through the door. Elizabeth could do little but give a small smile. “We’ll be right in here,” the nurse said, leading her down a hallway, and into an exam room. Elizabeth glanced around: two wooden, padded chairs, an exam table with the back raised, a scale, a sink and counter with various jars of sticks and Q-Tips, a box of exam gloves, a digital thermometer, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope…everything she hated.

“Ok, you can take a seat right there,” said the nurse, pointing to one of the chairs. “We’ll start with your blood pressure.” She sat down and rolled up her sleeve as the nurse took a cuff and wrapped it around her arm. He pumped it up, and she felt her heart pounding in her arm as he slowly released the pressure.

“Just a little high,” said the nurse, as he un-velcroed the cuff.

“Yeah, I’m a little nervous,” said Elizabeth, in a slightly embarrassed way.

“No need to be nervous,” the nurse replied. Setting down the cuff, he picked up the thermometer. “Under your tongue please?” he said, bringing it towards her mouth. She parted her glossed, pink lips and let him slide it in her mouth. It beeped. “Perfect!” he said, pulling the tip off and tossing it away.

“We’re going to need you to disrobe down to your underwear please,” he said, going over to a drawer under the exam table, and pulling out a small, blue cloth gown. She knew in the back of her mind that this was coming. “The doctor will be in shortly to see you.” The nurse smiled pleasantly as he left, shutting the door behind him.

Elizabeth stood looking at the small gown laying on the exam table for a few seconds. She pulled her top off over her head, and kicked her little sneakers off before unbuttoning her jeans. She quickly pulled off her pants and grabbed the gown. Putting it on, she was a little embarrassed that it was so short, stopping a few inches above her knees. She tied that back of the gown, tossed her clothes on a chair, and hopped up onto the table, her socked feet dangling above the floor.

She was brushing back her shoulder length brown hair behind her ears, when a knock at the door startled her. The door opened, and in stepped a middle aged woman, tall, with dark blond hair pulled back in a pony tail. She wore a white lab coat buttoned over a blue top, nylons over her shapely legs, and black heeled shoes. She adjusted her glasses as she glanced over a clipboard, and shut the door behind her.
“Hi, Elizabeth. I’m doctor Dawn,” she said, walking up to the young patient. “I see that Mr. Planum sent you in for an employment exam?”

“Mm hmm,” said Elizabeth, looking down at her lap.

“And for what position at the company?” asked the doctor. She took a pen out of her pocket to make notes on her paperwork.

“As a tester for their sports shoes,” answered the patient.

“I see!” said doctor Dawn, ticking a box on her clipboard.