He didn't have much time. St. Benedicts hospital was on the other side of town and they were set to pull the plug on Mary Schneider at 7:00. That was 48 minutes from now. The court order in his hand was the only thing that could save her life. He hailed a cab and did his best to convey the urgency of the matter to the cabbie without coming across as a lunatic. He briefly considered pulling out his gun but thought better of it.
-Meanwhile at St. Benedicts Mary's attending physician was finishing up some routine lab work. The termination of Mary's life support system was next on his agenda.
Traffic was bad. He'd never make it. It was now 6:24 and they'd only made in 9 blocks. He noticed a kid riding a bike on the sidewalk. He gave the cabbie a twenty and opened the door.
-Meanwhile Leon Schneider arrived at St. Benedicts twenty minutes early to witness his wife's execution.
He felt bad about pulling a gun on the kid but really, what choice did he have. The bike was a piece of shit anyway. Giving the kid the last 8 dollars in his wallet now seemed compensation enough. After a couple miles the chain came off. Looks like he'd be hoofing it from here. 6:36.
-Meanwhile the doctor and Leon exchanged muted pleasantries before entering Mary's room. The doctor handed Leon several legal and medical forms to review and sign before he could carry out the procedure. Leon had a pen handy.
He sprinted though the hospital's main entrance with just minutes to spare. The security guard immediately reached for his night stick but then eased up when he flashed his badge. "Elevator?" he yelled. The security guard pointed down the hall.
-Meanwhile the doctor approached Mary's bed and noted the time. It was 6:53.
He watched the numbers light above the elevator. Sweat poured down his body as he frantically shifted his weight from foot to foot. Fuck this. He saw the sign for the stairs and bolted up, climbing three at a time.
-Meanwhile the doctor offered his final condolences to Leon Schneider. Leon put on his best solemn expression yet there was a sense of satisfaction deep in his eyes.
He reached the 6th floor and checked his watch. 6:57. There was still time. He almost managed a smile before he thought better of it and instead grabbed the door handle. It was locked.
-Meanwhile a nurse entered the room saying the doctor was needed in triage stat. The doctor excused himself and left the room leaving Mary alive and breathing. Leon did his best to stay calm. He watched the rhythmic spikes of her heart monitor and tried to will them flat.
A hospital ID was required to enter floors via the stairwell. He pounded on the door but it was no use. He kicked the door. He cursed. He pulled out his cell phone but it had no reception.
-Meanwhile 7:00 had come and gone. The doctor returned to Mary's room and apologized to Leon for the interruption. He double-checked the paperwork and everything seemed to be in order. Leon mentioned he had plans later so if they could please hurry things along.
He climbed to the 9th floor until he finally found a door that exited the stairwell. He was now in an unfinished wing of the hospital with plastic sheets hanging from the ceiling and drywall dust covering the floors. He saw a man in a construction hat and yelled, "Which way to the ICU? I need to get the the 6th floor." The man didn't speak English. Shit.
-Meanwhile the doctor began to withdraw all life supporting systems from Mary Schnieder.
He ended up having to go all the way back down to the lobby to re-enter the hospital. When he finally exited the stairwell he found the lobby elevator door open, waiting, ready to go up. He stepped on and pushed 6. The doors closed.
- Meanwhile the doctor checked Mary for vital signs. Time of death was documented at 7:19.
zeroth life lesson: life can (and should) be cruel to wanna-be heroes.
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