Hour 23 by Robert Barnard

asked bluntly.
    Sherri smiled. “You just came to, huh?”
    Jim’s bewildered face was enough of an answer.
    “Hang tight. I’ll have the doctor visit you.”
    Sherri disappeared to the back of the room, unzipped the tent-like flaps once more, and left. Not long after, another yellow space ranger appeared in the door way and approached Jim’s bedside.
    “Officer, how are you feeling?” the doctor asked, his voice somewhat muted by his suit. Still, it was vaguely recognizable.
    “And who the hell are you?” Jim asked.
    The figure went to pat his face before his hand whacked into Plexiglas. He had forgotten that he was wearing a hazmat helmet.
    “Forgive me, when we met earlier I had a paper face mask on. It’s me, Dr. Merrill. I suppose I have a different mask on now, but that’s the nature of the beast today.”
    Jim rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. What am I doing here?”
    “Please. Allow me to ask a few questions first, yes?”
    “I’m sick of your damn questions. Unstrap me.”
    Dr. Merrill prodded the inside of his cheek with his tongue. “Officer, please. Can you tell me your name?”
    “Jim. Whiteman.”
    “And how many fingers am I holding up?” The Doctor extended three yellow, gloved fingers.
    “Three. How many am I holding up?” Jim said.
    The doctor glanced down at Jim’s strapped wrist making an obscene gesture.
    Jim said, “Enough of the bullshit then?”
    Dr. Merrill pulled a wheeled office chair from a dark corner of the room and took a seat beside Jim’s gurney.
    “Where’s my partner?”
    “Your partner is doing just…fine. He’s one door down.”
    “I wanna’ see him.” Jim was trying to pound with his fist, but it was hopeless, his hand was strapped in too tight.
    “I understand your frustration officer, I do. But this is a very sensitive situation you’re involved in. I can’t have him come in here right now.”
    “Why not?” Jim said. Every muscle in his face tensed.
    “Please, officer, I’m unable to discuss my patient’s condition with you. What’s important is that by all accounts, you seem to be completely healthy.”
    “Then why am I strapped down like some animal?” Jim said.
    “It’s important that we keep you under close evaluation for the next few hours. We’re still waiting on several blood tests. Please, don’t be angry. This is a cause for celebration.” The doctor looked funny, sitting in his chair with his legs crossed in the obnoxious hazmat suit, speaking as if it was a normal visit with a patient.
    “I have to call my family…I have to let them know I’m all right. Where’s my phone?” Jim said.
    “Your belongings are in a separate wing of the hospital. They will be examined and then they will be put through a decontamination process. If needed.”
    “So is there anything that I can do while I’m stuck here?”
    Dr. Merrill narrowed his eyes. “You can rest. I’m sorry to say, but I spoke to your supervising sergeant earlier. Ingram, yes?”
    Jim nodded.
    “You’ve been mandated for the next shift.”
    “Are you fucking kidding me?” Jim said, before laughing sarcastically. “Did he mention that I was already finishing a sixteen hour shift before getting trapped here with you clowns? Where is that bastard?”
    “Your sergeant told me to tell you that he’ll swing by later to check on you. This is why it is extremely important that you rest as much as you can. I’m afraid that you will have a very busy day ahead of you.” Dr. Merrill’s voice turned grave and concerned.
    Jim said, “Please just tell me what’s going on.”
    Dr. Merrill stood up, wheeled his chair back to the corner of the room he got it from. “I didn’t want to explain this before we put you under; we really needed you to remain calm and cooperative. So, forgive my fairytale earlier about adrenaline. What you and your partner saw this morning, officer. It wasn’t a singular event. There is a virus spreading, and it’s spreading fast. We’re trying