Panacea (Winter 2015)

DOCTOR’S OFFICE – DAY

The door opens to admit a young patient, who shifts into the recesses of the doctor’s office and sinks into the chair opposite to the physician. 

You read my letter?

I reviewed your medical files.

So you’re familiar with my condition?

Yes, but I would like to put your condition in perspective with my past cases. I’m going to ask you a set of questions. Please answer them as honestly as possible. First, have you ever wanted to find a better place?

Sometimes. Well, I don’t really think about it.

I see. And do you feel compelled to count things, like change?

No.

And what does this picture look like to you?

It kind of looks like a wolf and a human. A werewolf?

A werewolf. Interesting. It seems your case is more complicated than I thought. I do have something special though, if you’re interested.

Special?

A panacea, if you will. It can cure anything.

That seems too easy.

They don’t call it a cure-all for nothing.

To have all my problems solved, just like that—

—it works. I promise. This panacea has been developed through years of research.

Could I have some time to think about it?

Sure, but I’ll have you know, there are other people waiting in line to buy this cure. If you’d rather go on like this…

Okay. I’ll take it.

Very well. Right this way.

FADE OUT

DOCTOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT

The door opens to admit a familiar patient, who stumbles back towards the filing cabinet, muttering.

It’s not right… it’s not right….

 ZOOM IN

 File Cabinet

Trembling fingers push through the files, pausing as each file label is revealed:

Kairos

Supplication

***

It’ll cure me right? 

They don’t call it a “cure-all” for nothing. Though, I don’t promise that there won’t be any side effects.

But it’ll heal this.

Yes.

 It seems too easy.

That is the point. They don’t call it a cure-all for nothing.

To have all my problems solved, just like that—

—it works. I promise.

Like magic.

Let’s be scientifically accurate here, shall we? This panacea has been developed through years of research. I’ll not have you dismiss it as some fairy tale… So. Have you made up your mind?

Yes. I’ll take it.

Very well. Right this way.

*searching through filing cabinets looking for a cure*

Credentials

And how long has it been since you’ve had this?

Two years.

Two years—then, have you been taking any medications prior to this visit?

I don’t trust medicine. Actually, that’s why I came to you. They say you’re a different type of doctor. Not the one who gives pills and stuff.

Well, yes. Recently, I’ve been leaning less towards allopathy and more towards natural alternatives.

Then, do you have something for me, Doc?

Well, first I would like to put your condition in perspective with my past cases. Is that alright with you?

Sure.

Okay then. First, have you ever wanted to find a better place?

Sometimes, I guess. I don’t really think about it.

Alright. And does kindness sometimes seem like a burden?

Well, no. I don’t think so.

I see. And do you feel compelled to count things, like change?

No.

And what does this picture look like to you?

It kind of looks like a wolf and a human. A werewolf?

Then, it seems your case is slightly more complicated than I thought. I do have something, but it’s relatively new.

I’ll take it.

The thing is, it hasn’t passed all the clinical trials yet. For all we know, it could have fatal-or rather undesirable side effects.

But will it cure me?

Of course. It can cure anything.

Two years.

Then, have you been taking any medications prior to this visit?

I don’t trust medicine. Actually, that’s why I came to you. They say you’re a different type of doctor. Not the one who gives pills and stuff.

Well, yes. Recently, I follow a more eclectic approach than my colleagues.

Then, do you have something for me, Doc?