Dr. Greg House, MD (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
vicodincrutch) wrote2016-09-26 10:09 pm
vicodincrutch) wrote2016-09-26 10:09 pm
Entry tags:
Dial Tone
"House. Leave a message."
Open for: text, email, voicemail, horrific late night calls, assorted action.
"House. Leave a message."
Open for: text, email, voicemail, horrific late night calls, assorted action.
"It'd be easier if we were fighting."
Easier to do anything than court Gregory House for a favor. Maybe even wrestle a bear. But for once, Amory's trying to do this right. As right as right can be when you're trying to convince someone to write you up double dose under the table, presuming the City even has tables.
"I'm asking you because you understand. I'm not talking sympathy. I mean, pragmatically, you understand what it means to live with pain, and what a reasonable person would do to make it stop."
Easier to do anything than court Gregory House for a favor. Maybe even wrestle a bear. But for once, Amory's trying to do this right. As right as right can be when you're trying to convince someone to write you up double dose under the table, presuming the City even has tables.
"I'm asking you because you understand. I'm not talking sympathy. I mean, pragmatically, you understand what it means to live with pain, and what a reasonable person would do to make it stop."
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"If you're looking for a conflict mediator, you're going about it wrong." Not to mention possibly wrecking the state of being more by contacting House. It's what happens. He seldom asks to be invited in on an issue, the man lets himself in. "Chase is reasonable if you kiss his ass enough." Even if it isn't a fight. Something like snake charming, except the wallaby is not so venomous.
"Are you incapable of making an appointment?" House cannot read his face or intentions yet. All he knows is this man is hitting him up for a fix. No appointment here. "That's how you get pills. That's how I get pills. Shocking, I know."
"Are you incapable of making an appointment?" House cannot read his face or intentions yet. All he knows is this man is hitting him up for a fix. No appointment here. "That's how you get pills. That's how I get pills. Shocking, I know."
"I won't be kissing his arse. Or anything else. Trust me," he replies, adding a tired shake of his head to accent his growing frustration. Any other time than now, he'd might be inclined to banter. "If Chase and I had a problem, I wouldn't be coming to you. You're not his keeper, and I'm pretty sure I'm a grown up. But thanks, for your concern."
Amory is an intractable nuisance, House. Now he's moved on to disturbing the peace of your desk, lifting a newspaper off a pile of medical documents and settling himself on one of the adjacent chairs. Why do you even have chairs, anyway?
"I can make appointments," he answers, (pretending) reading the paper as he speaks. "That doesn't mean I'll get what I need."
Amory is an intractable nuisance, House. Now he's moved on to disturbing the peace of your desk, lifting a newspaper off a pile of medical documents and settling himself on one of the adjacent chairs. Why do you even have chairs, anyway?
"I can make appointments," he answers, (pretending) reading the paper as he speaks. "That doesn't mean I'll get what I need."
"He's your doctor, the doctor that will be writing your prescriptions. Except you're asking me. Correct me if I'm wrong." On his feet and around the desk, House regards the other man as though he'll make more sense from this angle.
Wait. What? The touching? Is he serious? This is how you get what you want? House comes closer and leans on the desk enough to kick the chair back from the desk. "Grown up? Could have fooled me."
Wait. What? The touching? Is he serious? This is how you get what you want? House comes closer and leans on the desk enough to kick the chair back from the desk. "Grown up? Could have fooled me."
"And you must be the exemplar," he raises an eyebrow, "of maturity."
You can kick him down, but he'll get right back up. Ideally. Well, at least in this case. (How much punch can a cripple pack?) Readjusting the chair, Amory scoots it forward to reclaim his unwavering station in front of House's desk. In fact, he scoots even closer, leaning forward to make his determination known, if it wasn't already.
"Chase isn't my doctor. He's a friend. The distinction's important." He folds the paper neatly, and sets it in his lap. "I don't have a doctor, and I don't want one."
You can kick him down, but he'll get right back up. Ideally. Well, at least in this case. (How much punch can a cripple pack?) Readjusting the chair, Amory scoots it forward to reclaim his unwavering station in front of House's desk. In fact, he scoots even closer, leaning forward to make his determination known, if it wasn't already.
"Chase isn't my doctor. He's a friend. The distinction's important." He folds the paper neatly, and sets it in his lap. "I don't have a doctor, and I don't want one."
"I'm not the one making proclamations like I'm a grown up." Yes, that comes with a change in pitch of his voice to further mock. "Even more so, how did you even think this would turn out? So you're in pain. You know the drill. Chase or no Chase." Barging in and expecting satisfaction is usually something that the doctor does himself with point and purpose. While he has no tolerance for being on the other side he has even less because Amory is piss poor at making his point. Everything has to have a pitch to sell or convince.
"Okay Chase friend. You annoying." Say. That's his paper.
"Okay Chase friend. You annoying." Say. That's his paper.
Straight to the point would distill down to: "I'm in a fuckload of pain. I need more pills. Give me." But Amory has more foolish pride than that to directly admit his vulnerability and thus demean himself-- though by doing so, he's likely evoked a contradiction.
The issue is also that when Amory discusses medical business, the conversation will always skip around the center. It's instinct. Can you see his discomfort? Hospitals mean death. Pain is one stepping stone to his own coffin.
"That's my intention," he cocks an eyebrow, leaning forward to rest his palms on his thighs. "I'm not asking you to do this from the kindness of your heart. I'll do you a favor. I'll pay you, trade you something."
How demeaning.
The issue is also that when Amory discusses medical business, the conversation will always skip around the center. It's instinct. Can you see his discomfort? Hospitals mean death. Pain is one stepping stone to his own coffin.
"That's my intention," he cocks an eyebrow, leaning forward to rest his palms on his thighs. "I'm not asking you to do this from the kindness of your heart. I'll do you a favor. I'll pay you, trade you something."
How demeaning.
What is the point of going loud and big then not saying exactly what is the point of it all? House sees discomfort but it's that of a weasel, a waffler and a liar. He can't stand two of the three. At least liars see the layers to conversation. Amory thinks that it can stay at the surface and be self-serving? Hell no. It undoes the ballsy nature of a confrontation. Go big or go home. What a newbie.
"No. Are you even listening? I'm a doctor not a dealer." And he is insulted that for someone who gets how much of a curmudgeon this gimp doctor is, he believes he can dangle some kind of a carrot. Hell no. "You're wasting my time and yours."
House has been there except he has prescriptions, he has ways. Desperate ones. Unlike some stubborn and stupid types who believe you can blitz a doctor's personal office, the doctor has feigned injury to seek prescriptions from other clinics, has tried other means. When all else fails get a script and call it a day. Maybe it's because he feels that the schemes make him more of the master of pain even though there is more than enough evidence to the other way around.
"No. Are you even listening? I'm a doctor not a dealer." And he is insulted that for someone who gets how much of a curmudgeon this gimp doctor is, he believes he can dangle some kind of a carrot. Hell no. "You're wasting my time and yours."
House has been there except he has prescriptions, he has ways. Desperate ones. Unlike some stubborn and stupid types who believe you can blitz a doctor's personal office, the doctor has feigned injury to seek prescriptions from other clinics, has tried other means. When all else fails get a script and call it a day. Maybe it's because he feels that the schemes make him more of the master of pain even though there is more than enough evidence to the other way around.
Just because he 'gets' House's ornery manner and unrelenting cynicism, doesn't he mean he comprehends the doctor. On a singular basis, person by person, Amory routinely fails at deriving more than a superficial reading. He says he understands human nature on a whole, but people, individuals? He's grown up too self-involved for that.
"If I make an appointment, a proper one," he pauses, "Will you take it?"
To confront and dodge the point is a contradiction. To confront someone, you have to open up a part of yourself, to supply fuel for your conviction. Otherwise it's just hollow, meaningless bullshit. But Amory's not so good at that.
Slowly, he breathes, dropping his attitude to ease into a character more subdued. He straightens up in his chair, and meets House's eyes.
"I don't want Chase seeing me as some invalid. A guy that can't keep himself up on one heavy dose of pills, who has to go begging for another." Chase has already seen it. He gave him fucking tranqs, but that was once and once was enough. "From you, I don't care. See me however you want. You're a stranger, and I'm happy keeping it that way."
"If I make an appointment, a proper one," he pauses, "Will you take it?"
To confront and dodge the point is a contradiction. To confront someone, you have to open up a part of yourself, to supply fuel for your conviction. Otherwise it's just hollow, meaningless bullshit. But Amory's not so good at that.
Slowly, he breathes, dropping his attitude to ease into a character more subdued. He straightens up in his chair, and meets House's eyes.
"I don't want Chase seeing me as some invalid. A guy that can't keep himself up on one heavy dose of pills, who has to go begging for another." Chase has already seen it. He gave him fucking tranqs, but that was once and once was enough. "From you, I don't care. See me however you want. You're a stranger, and I'm happy keeping it that way."
Edited 2011-05-01 19:29 (UTC)
What or who would House be if he was not analyzing everything and everyone? Amory is full of tells and signs. Definitely worth a second, third, forth look over. He doesn't tick the same way as others. Then again, the world is more full of irregularities than people realize. Traits though those come in patterns. Self-involving is a basic human nature that people constantly fight because of manners or expectations.
"If I find something to prescribe painkillers for. There's a process. Again, there are plenty of street corners you must be aware of." For a quick fix. Amory is a snob. He wants hospital grade. That much House can tell.
"Physical strength makes a person invalid?" That is exactly what it sounds like. His brow wrinkles terrifically as he waits for that kind of an answer.
"If I find something to prescribe painkillers for. There's a process. Again, there are plenty of street corners you must be aware of." For a quick fix. Amory is a snob. He wants hospital grade. That much House can tell.
"Physical strength makes a person invalid?" That is exactly what it sounds like. His brow wrinkles terrifically as he waits for that kind of an answer.
"Being able to function," he holds a breath, "determines whether a person's invalid."
He is a snob. How apt you are, Dr. House. Pressing a hand against his forehead, Amory can feel a headache digging at the front of his skull.
"I've been in this hospital twice in less than a year. Both cases arose from complications. Isn't that enough proof?"
The thought of a doctor treatment him is positively frightening. Every time it's been frightening; he's just never been conscious enough to pitch a fit.
Oh.
Wait.
Yeah, that time. With the haunted hospital and...
Most of the time he's not conscious enough.
He is a snob. How apt you are, Dr. House. Pressing a hand against his forehead, Amory can feel a headache digging at the front of his skull.
"I've been in this hospital twice in less than a year. Both cases arose from complications. Isn't that enough proof?"
The thought of a doctor treatment him is positively frightening. Every time it's been frightening; he's just never been conscious enough to pitch a fit.
Oh.
Wait.
Yeah, that time. With the haunted hospital and...
Most of the time he's not conscious enough.
"Because everyone knows that you are your body. Of course! Why didn't I think of it that way?" Sarcasm because there wasn't enough of that so far. House just looks at Amory for a long moment. He is not the doctor to be talking to about this kind of skewed perceptions of functionality. If he's in pain. As usual, he believes his own problems are far more intense than anyone else's.
"You're jumping to conclusions immensely." Complications too? Hah. Well. Whatever. House shakes his head. "Take a number. Make an appointment. We'll see what comes out of that.
Already the doctor's own opinion, seemingly on the lower end of the totem pole to Chase, has been formed without involving any medical history. That in of itself is pretty fucking irritating too.
"You're jumping to conclusions immensely." Complications too? Hah. Well. Whatever. House shakes his head. "Take a number. Make an appointment. We'll see what comes out of that.
Already the doctor's own opinion, seemingly on the lower end of the totem pole to Chase, has been formed without involving any medical history. That in of itself is pretty fucking irritating too.
"You can't deny that people treat you differently,"
He flashes a look toward House's cane, a suggestion so subtle that catching it would be a matter of coincidence. Returning the newspaper back to House's desk, Amory then stands, proceeding to act on what must be House's tantamount desire at this very second-- leaving. He doesn't bother with goodbyes or thanks yous, just a tilt of his head and a final word before he heads to the door.
"Your word, then," he replies, slipping the cap on once more, identity obscured, "I'll make an appointment."
He flashes a look toward House's cane, a suggestion so subtle that catching it would be a matter of coincidence. Returning the newspaper back to House's desk, Amory then stands, proceeding to act on what must be House's tantamount desire at this very second-- leaving. He doesn't bother with goodbyes or thanks yous, just a tilt of his head and a final word before he heads to the door.
"Your word, then," he replies, slipping the cap on once more, identity obscured, "I'll make an appointment."
[ Setting a cigarette between his lips, Amory exhales a chestful of smoke into the exam room. A series of carefully formed gray rings float and dissipate into the air - a clear violation of hospital conduct. He's not that stupid to be ignorant of the Rules, but by the sweat forming from clammy fingers and the slow, repetitive tap of his boots, he's evidently that nervous.
Uncomfortable, at least
Amory has been waiting a long time. ]
Must take him at least 15 minutes to make it down the hallway. [ A pause, as he takes another drag. ] With that leg of his.
Uncomfortable, at least
Amory has been waiting a long time. ]
Must take him at least 15 minutes to make it down the hallway. [ A pause, as he takes another drag. ] With that leg of his.
Edited 2011-06-07 06:40 (UTC)
[Another fifteen minutes pas and in he comes.]
Could be cancer.
[He says this before he even knows who the fuck he is talking to. Oh. A chart. Slurp slurp of his slurpee before picking it up. Still no eye contact.]
I assume you have shortness of breath, chest pain...
[Skim reading.]
Could be cancer.
[He says this before he even knows who the fuck he is talking to. Oh. A chart. Slurp slurp of his slurpee before picking it up. Still no eye contact.]
I assume you have shortness of breath, chest pain...
[Skim reading.]
If it was only that simple...
[ He mumbles it with the cigarette in his mouth. His second lit in the second passing of a quarter hour. He observes House from the corner of his eye, waiting for the Doctor to recognize him.
Supposedly he is Charles Dubois, the chart should say. ]
Smoke? [Drawing the pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket, he offers it to House. ]
[ He mumbles it with the cigarette in his mouth. His second lit in the second passing of a quarter hour. He observes House from the corner of his eye, waiting for the Doctor to recognize him.
Supposedly he is Charles Dubois, the chart should say. ]
Smoke? [Drawing the pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket, he offers it to House. ]
[Who dares?]
Oh. It's you.
[Sigh.]
No thanks.
[Blue eyes are judging.]
You wanna put that out before I have to diagnose someone who actually does have cancer?
[Now he has to treat this seriously seeing as this is some kind of a vengeful act. House was hoping that Amory forgot. Just like that jerk.]
Oh. It's you.
[Sigh.]
No thanks.
[Blue eyes are judging.]
You wanna put that out before I have to diagnose someone who actually does have cancer?
[Now he has to treat this seriously seeing as this is some kind of a vengeful act. House was hoping that Amory forgot. Just like that jerk.]
[ He shrugs, then walks over to the examination table to crush the smoking end of the fag against the white paper cover. Now, Amory imitates the movements of a geriatric patient, pulling himself onto the table gingerly and slowly.
Today isn't a good day.
He sits there, legs dangling, shoulders leaning into his lap. ]
I said I'd come and do this properly. [ Abruptly- ] Looks like neither of us wants to be here, so let's be quick.
Today isn't a good day.
He sits there, legs dangling, shoulders leaning into his lap. ]
I said I'd come and do this properly. [ Abruptly- ] Looks like neither of us wants to be here, so let's be quick.
I knew you had it in you.
[It being bull and that is what the guy is filled with through and through. House hangs his cane on one of the crane necked lights in the examination room before lowering himself to the rolling stool.]
You're experiencing pain. What and where?
[It being bull and that is what the guy is filled with through and through. House hangs his cane on one of the crane necked lights in the examination room before lowering himself to the rolling stool.]
You're experiencing pain. What and where?
Thanks for the confidence.
[ Who isn't filled with bull? Most losers are. He can't help but fidget slightly as House gets closer. ]
How many nerve cells are there in the human body? [ He shakes his head and chuckles dryly. ] Everywhere.
[ Who isn't filled with bull? Most losers are. He can't help but fidget slightly as House gets closer. ]
How many nerve cells are there in the human body? [ He shakes his head and chuckles dryly. ] Everywhere.
Oh any time. Any time at all.
[Though what a way to get the ball rolling as if smoking in what's meant to be a sterilized room wasn't enough. House flicks the folder shut and places it on his knees.]
This is supposed to be helpful. How do you know you're in pain and you don't have your thalamus damaged?
[Though what a way to get the ball rolling as if smoking in what's meant to be a sterilized room wasn't enough. House flicks the folder shut and places it on his knees.]
This is supposed to be helpful. How do you know you're in pain and you don't have your thalamus damaged?
I don't doubt your diagnostic abilities, Dr. House. But let me speed things up for you.
[ He shoots the doctor a gimlet eye, clutching the edge of the table tightly with his right hand. His knuckles re white. ]
I'll tell you the problem is magic. You'll tell me there's no rectal exam for that. [ He then gestures to the file ] Then you'll see that note mentioning how my body absorbed half of the hospital's blood supply during my last visit. You'll take a sample of my blood. You'll stare at the sample under a microscope, then you'll grumble and bitch. Look, Amory Felix wasted my time. But right as you're about to give up, you'll catch sight of that miscreant cell devouring one of my reds. Not just absorbing, devouring. You'll notice more and more. Then you'll tell me I've got a problem. I'll tell you it's nothing you can fix, and that we've just made a pretty fucking circle. Why? Because I'm still in pain.
[ He shoots the doctor a gimlet eye, clutching the edge of the table tightly with his right hand. His knuckles re white. ]
I'll tell you the problem is magic. You'll tell me there's no rectal exam for that. [ He then gestures to the file ] Then you'll see that note mentioning how my body absorbed half of the hospital's blood supply during my last visit. You'll take a sample of my blood. You'll stare at the sample under a microscope, then you'll grumble and bitch. Look, Amory Felix wasted my time. But right as you're about to give up, you'll catch sight of that miscreant cell devouring one of my reds. Not just absorbing, devouring. You'll notice more and more. Then you'll tell me I've got a problem. I'll tell you it's nothing you can fix, and that we've just made a pretty fucking circle. Why? Because I'm still in pain.
[Scoot, scoot the chair closer so he can look this man in the eye. And to be close enough to whack him on the head with the file.]
You're here because you have a problem. And problems don't get solved by accepting the fact that they're a problem. Everything has an explanation, even magic. [His voice raises a little. It's a direct insult to hear diagnostics treated with this. Though this is what you get when you drag someone into the process.]
If you're content to accept a treatment for symptoms and disregard that there is a cause then it's your choice to deny any treatment that I might come up with.
You're here because you have a problem. And problems don't get solved by accepting the fact that they're a problem. Everything has an explanation, even magic. [His voice raises a little. It's a direct insult to hear diagnostics treated with this. Though this is what you get when you drag someone into the process.]
If you're content to accept a treatment for symptoms and disregard that there is a cause then it's your choice to deny any treatment that I might come up with.
A man who says that is a man who doesn't know magic. A logical man. [ Amory tilts his head, then gazes at House without condescension. He's quick to turn away, shifting his stare to the white of his knuckles. ] Like me.
To an extent, magic is rational. What it creates, how it creates. Physics wouldn't exist otherwise.
[ Quieter now, his voice. It sounds tired, threadbare. As a whole, he's worn out; too exhausted to put up a fight and hide his tatters.
House can mock him as he likes. He can't give a damn at this point. ]
I don't want a treatment. I don't even want you to look, to waste your time. I just want an extra dosage, so I can pretend to function like a regular human being. Simple as that. [ He's not demanding, just asking. ] I'm not an addict. I've just had enough.
To an extent, magic is rational. What it creates, how it creates. Physics wouldn't exist otherwise.
[ Quieter now, his voice. It sounds tired, threadbare. As a whole, he's worn out; too exhausted to put up a fight and hide his tatters.
House can mock him as he likes. He can't give a damn at this point. ]
I don't want a treatment. I don't even want you to look, to waste your time. I just want an extra dosage, so I can pretend to function like a regular human being. Simple as that. [ He's not demanding, just asking. ] I'm not an addict. I've just had enough.
Fine. Be that way. Get your prescription and refill. It isn't going to help you in the long run.
[And house would know about addiction. Apparently Amory is functional where it counts. More power to him. Though he has a long way to fall if his condition takes a turn for the worse.
There is also an extra layer of disappointment on House's part. He wants a white whale, something that can be worked on. Even if it is magic bullshit he so despises.]
Though you have to let me take one current blood sample. That's it.
[And house would know about addiction. Apparently Amory is functional where it counts. More power to him. Though he has a long way to fall if his condition takes a turn for the worse.
There is also an extra layer of disappointment on House's part. He wants a white whale, something that can be worked on. Even if it is magic bullshit he so despises.]
Though you have to let me take one current blood sample. That's it.
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