Leroy in the End Game

[paradys]

"Jesus Carson did you hear that?" It occurs to Leroy that the announcement might bring people into the dispencery. He grabs three or four bottles ( i'm assuming they're fairly small ) and stuffs them in his pockets, and passes a couple more to Carson. Distracted, he forgets to try and lock the cupboard door again. "Lets go find someone medical, see if they know whats going on."

[OathinBlood]

"Christ.." mumbles Carson, more to himself than to anyone else. "I wonder what chemical it is...I hope they have a sample or something, I'd wanna know what the hell is raining down on our heads."

He follows Leroy out the door, but not before dry-swallowing a light pain-killer.

[Laraqua]

The first floor is still swollen with patients, families and wannabe patients but it seems deserted of medical personnel, though even their numbers are greatly reduced. Nothing like a warning to stay indoors to have most people running for the hills. There is a mob of people standing around the reception desk, hiding any nurses who might be there from the two men's view. It's hard to hear what she's saying, if there is anyone there saying anything at all, over the multitude of voices that emanate from the several dozen people who press in against the desk.

[paradys]

"Goddamit, we aint gonna be able to find out anything here". For the first time in a couple of days Leroy thinks about his boy, Toby. He should ring Marsha...
His mobile is in his coat pocket in his locker.

( i'm not sure where Leroys locker would be, in some kind of staff room? )

[Laraqua]

Leroy's locker is in a utility room. Many of the other orderlies and janitors have to share this space with a variety of cleaning supplies. Hospital renovations haven't extended to giving them room to move. The room contains a janitor called Paul Summers who clutches a clipboard in a white-knuckled grip, apparently checking up on supplies. Paul looks relieved to see someone.

"Hey, what's going on out there? They got all the children dosed up, someone's been vandalising all of the vents, and that graffitti... Shit, hope you know more than I do," says Paul. "Hey, you're an orderly, ain't ya? They want you lot down in Accident & Emergency but I wouldn't go down there. If it's something chemical, those people might be contagious. Well, not contagious, but, shit, infected with the chemicals, y'know? You might get contaminated. Shit, that's the word. Contaminated."

[OathinBlood]

Carson's eyes light up when Paul says 'chemicals'. He's always had an interest in chemicals, and in between his drug-induced hazes and hospital cleaning he would often go down to the library to learn more about them. Applying them to his job, he has been able to clean faster and more thoroughly than the other janitors. He could probably identify whatever chemical was down there. Plus, if it was a chemical spill, or some chemical raining from the sky, the people couldn't be contagious. Contagion was for viruses and diseases.

"Hey, Leroy, I'm heading down to Accident & Emergency. Comin' with?"

[paradys]

Leroy is torn between wanting to avoid any 'contamination' and wanting to know whats going on. He decides to try and get news from the outside world before making a move.

"sure Carson just give me a second"

He brings Marshas number up on speed dial and puts through the call.

[Laraqua]

"Hello?" A man's voice, sounding slightly panicked, answers Marsha's phone.

[paradys]

Who the hells that he thinks.

"Hello? I want to speak to Marsha. Its Tobys dad."

[Laraqua]

The mobile phone seems to crackle and fade in and out of hearing. It sounds like the signal is dying. "The woman who ... this here? She ran out ... paying for her groceries. What's ... on?"

[paradys]

"hello, who is this? wheres Marsha? Goddammit!" shouts Leroy as the signal fades and dies on him.

He stands there scowling for a moment before turning to Carson.

"ok, lets find out what the hells going on"

He puts the phone back in his pocket. He'll give it twenty minutes then try and reach her at home.

[Laraqua]

"Before you go, you two boys want a drink?" asks Paul, brandishing a flask. He seems faintly bored. "It's good stuff. Man, I hate drinking alone. Have a bit before you go running off for a look-see."

[paradys]

Leroy looks at Carson. He's anxious but trying not to show it.

"I say we go now, I need to know whats happening man."

[Laraqua]

"Come on, man, relax a bit," says Paul, still offering the drink. "You really think running off half-cocked is gonna get you anywhere? Sit around and think a minute with me. You go out there and you'll never get to go home. You'll be too busy running around tending to people. Chillax!"

[paradys]

Leroy makes up his mind to leave and heads for the door of the utility room.

"some other time Paul"

anyway, he's not sure he wants to drink with someone who uses the word 'chillax'.

[Laraqua]

Paul just nods. "Can't miss the end of the world, huh, Leroy?"

[OathinBlood]

"Wouldn't miss it for the world..." mutters Carson, eyeing Paul.

On his way down to A&E he thinks about the paradox of not missing the end of the world for the world.

[Laraqua]

As they move out into the corridor, they can see people rushing this way and that. A crowd of people surges along, leaving a few startled staff members in their way. A pair of doctors attempt to stem the crowd, pleading with people not to attempt to leave, that they would be safer within the hospital, but most don't listen and continue on their way out the glass doors. The sound of a dozen car engines revving to life is audible even above this din.

[paradys]

Leroy tries to get the attention of one of the doctors, grabbing hold of them if nescessary.

"Hey, whats going on?"

[Laraqua]

The doctor looks startled, then sighs deeply. "There's been a chemical accident of some description. We're trying to keep people inside. Look, just attend to your duties." He eyes off the janitor. "Isn't there a toilet somewhere you should be cleaning?"