Southern Comfort Ch. 03

"That's not true! We found her here!" the other doctor lodged another protest in favor of their innocence.

Ed looked from me to them. "Well, if you found her in here, why didn't you just call security and let them handle it?" Ed asked slyly.

"Call security now!" I insisted. "I want to file a complaint!"

"Hey! Nobody needs to go to jail here now," the first doctor warned sternly.

"You see? He doesn't want security called because they kidnapped me!" I pressed on with my allegations. "What are you going to do about it, Ed?" I demanded.

Suddenly, the first doctor looked puzzled and then his look turned smug. He turned his head slowly from me to Ed. "Do you recognize this girl, Ed?" he asked.

Ed's eyes widened slightly. "No. Should I?" he asked trying to sound casual.

"She's the bartender from the restaurant we went to the other day. The one who gave you such a hard time?" the doctor prompted as he watched for Ed's reaction.

Ed shrugged. "Beats me! I wouldn't have recognized her." His denial was almost convincing.

"Neither did I, at first. But, I do find it odd that she recognized you a moment ago. She even remembered your name. And, just so you know, young lady, there are no patients on this floor. It's for administrative offices only. Your sick friend isn't on this floor," he pointed out to me. "Just what are you doing here anyway, Ed?" he asked.

"Me?" Ed asked nervously. "I had an emergency. I've been in the E.R. for the past four hours," he said frowning at his watch.

"About long enough for sleeping beauty here to get bored and take a nap?" his friend suggested. He was eyeing us both suspiciously now. "Doctor, this little girl wouldn't happen to belong to you, now would she? I mean that in the broadest of terms, of course!"

"I don't know what you mean," Ed shrugged looking helplessly at me.

"I mean, I'm starting to smell a rat here. She remembered your name. She called you Ed," he accused.

"I have a good memory," I said.

"Then what's my name? Or his?" he asked pointing to the third doctor who was now also facing me with a suspicious look.

"Neither of you introduced yourselves," I said smoothly.

"Uh-huh!" he said nodding doubtfully. He crossed the room and placed his hand on the telephone. "Well, if she doesn't belong to anyone here, then I'll just give security a call."

He paused for a few seconds and then said, "Going once! Going twice?" he lifted the receiver and Ed leaped forward.

"Alright! Alright, already! She's mine!" Ed admitted in frustration.

The doctor placed the receiver back down on its cradle. He was laughing hard now.

"Honey, you sure are good!" he roared. "You had me nearly shitting on myself thinking I was about to go to jail for attempted rape or something!"

He shook his head and wiped at his eyes. Ed was frowning uncomfortably. "How long has this been going on, Ed?" he asked still gulping down air in between snorts of mirth.

"Not nearly long enough!" Ed snarled. "First I get a fucking emergency page, then you two show up! Can't a guy catch a fucking break around here?" he demanded.

"Be polite, Ed, and introduce us to your little playmate," the doctor mocked him.

"As you've pointed out, you've already met. This is Cindy. Cindy, this is Frank, who used to be my friend!" Ed snarled.

"Oh, calm down, Ed! I'm still your friend. Just to prove it, we're going to get the hell out of here and let you go back to whatever it was you had in mind," he said rolling his eyes at Ed.

"What I have in mind is to take the lady and go somewhere where we can be alone. This place should have a revolving door installed!" Ed snorted in contempt.

"Well, you should've thought about that before you brought her here, you dumb-ass!" Frank chuckled. "What's the matter, Cindy? Is he too cheap to spring for a motel room?"

"I told him not to," I said.

"Good idea. He's got a wife, you know," he said grinning back at me.

"I know. I have a husband of my own," I admitted.

"Oh, now that's interesting. Maybe we should all chip in and rent a fucking apartment to split the expenses on. It could be economically effective," Frank suggested.

"Why? Do you come here often yourself?" I asked sarcastically.

"No. I can't say I have. I never had the balls to sneak a girl in here before," he said glancing around. "Although it is a hot notion. Whose idea was it?" he asked grinning at me.

"His!" I said rolling my eyes.

"Figures. Next time, you should hire a look-out," he advised Ed. "Now, would you like some help getting her out of here?" he asked.

Ed began to relax. "Yeah, I guess. With my luck, we'll run into the head of security on our way out," he quipped.

"I have to hand it to you, Ed. You have good taste!" Frank said. "I'd have stashed her here too, rather than take her home. Did you really wait four hours for him?" he asked me sounding surprised.

"Yes. That's why I fell asleep. I got bored," I said.

Frank opened the door a crack and looked out into the hall. "Shall we?" he asked, opening the door for me to exit ahead of him. He led the way to the elevator and pressed the button.

Once we were inside and headed down, he leaned down to me and whispered, "If you ever get bored again, give me a call. I won't keep you waiting for four hours!" he chuckled and nudged Ed.

"Fuck you, Frank," Ed snarled.