I. Married Life

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     It is the closing hour of the day; Adam gets up from his seat and removes his headgear as he clocks out of his workstation. He logs out of the computer in front of him and reaches up to the power button to press it and turn the monitor off, he grabs his empty cup and pushes his chair in before he departs the work area quietly as to not disturb the other workers who are working the next shift, some are just clocking in. He exits through the front door and makes his way to his car, where he unlocks it and goes inside. He turns the car on, turns on the radio and drives away. He says nothing, all he does is sigh to himself.

     Margot is at the local psych ward, she's dressed in uniform as she overlooks many sedated patients as some of them sit and watch the television as it plays a game show for them to interact with, others are in a far corner playing cards, one patient is reading to himself. She walks over to the other uniformed employee and asks, "What about the new girl?", the employee looks up from her notes and at Margot, "She's refusing to leave her cell. She keeps asking for water and to be left alone. After monitoring her for about a month and a half, we've concluded that she's delusional and needs extra care. She's too much of a risk to bring out to the lobby.", Margot looks around and asks, "May I see her?", the other employee says, "You've only been here about two weeks, I don't think you're qualified or have the experience.", Margot reiterates, "Well, if I didn't, then I wouldn't have taken this job, would I?", she continues, "Look, everyone claims their family is delusional. I've had a delusional half-brother, who I had to deal with ever since he was kicked from a group home and sent back to be with my parents. I think I can handle her.", the employee calls a third employee over, "Excuse me, Casey? Could you hold the floor for about ten minutes?", the third employee gives the okay signal. Then swings an arm around Margot and walks with her, "Right this way."

     At home, Adam sighs as he enters his house after unlocking his door. He walks straight to the bedroom and removes his work badge and takes off his shoes, he walks back out to the living room and grabs the remote that's resting on the couch. He turns the power button on and flips the channels before coming across the sports channel, where a game of college football is on, he drops the remote onto the couch as he approaches the kitchen and opens the fridge, where he pulls out the last bottle of beer. He looks at it and sighs before shutting the fridge door, and retreats into the living room, snapping the bottle open and plays with the bottle cap as he takes a sip. He sits down onto his couch and focuses on the game as he listens in on the play-by-play commentary.

     Reaching another level of the security wing, Margot is led to a lone holding cell. The other employee slides the viewer to the right and peeks inside, "Hey in there, are you doing alright? Can I get you some water?", the patient inside is heard in a soft voice, "No, I just want to go home.", the employee looks at Margot, "She's mellowed out from what we've administered in her water. We aim to keep her that way.", she slowly approaches the viewer and tip toes, getting a clear view of Amber. She waves to the helpless girl, "Hi there, I came to see you after hearing about why you were admitted in the first place.", Amber looks up from the floor, "Do you see them, too?", Margot looks around, "See who? I see you, I also see my co-worker here.", Amber shakes her head, "No, do you see them? The past victims of the house fire, the little girl, the old lady.", Margot drops from her tip toes and looks at the employee, "So, this one can see ghosts if I'm reading her right?", he nods and concludes, "As I've stated. Delusional. We all know ghosts don't exist."

     Margot tip toes to the patient in the cell, "Tellyour ghost friends I said bye! I'll see you again tomorrow when everyone's inthe courtyard, I'd like to get to know you.", she then pats the co-worker onthe shoulder, "Not to worry, I think I can make friends with this new girl andfully understand her and what she's going through. Does she have any outsidecontacts?", the employee pulls up her file and reads down the list, "She hasparents who've paid her at least two visits, they tried to reason with hermisunderstanding. If she doesn't show any signs of improvement, we'll have tokeep her here longer. As far as friends and trusted contacts, she has multipleclassmates that come check on her. There was a big guy, very athletic. Hevolunteered to discharge her and have her stay with him. She's a bit toounstable at the moment, but if you can make some magic work, it'd greatlyhelp.", Margot nods, "We'll have to pick this up tomorrow. Right now, it'sgetting close to the end of my shift, I should head home.", the employeeplayfully taps her shoulder with the clipboard, "Get home safe, I'll see youtomorrow.", she turns around with a smile and a wave before walking anotherdirection from where they came.

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