The City Held Its Silence byIrel Knx 41

1 Bribing my way 

“Go sit down over there I’ll only be a minute,” I told him. I had him sit on a bench near by where I could see him from the reception. 1 

I didn’t want him to hear me lie to the receptionist. I then went up to one of the five receptionist’s at the desk that was free. 

My mind quickly processed what I was going to say. From the phone call Mike had mentioned something about dialysis. Rather than asking the receptionist I could just go to the dialysis department of the hospital and check every patient until I found Mike. However that was rather cumbersome with so many patients in a hospital. It would be easier if I knew which room to go to from the get go. Also I didn’t know if Mike was even here. If he wasn’t it would be a waste of time to go through every room. 

The receptionist looked up at me with a smile as I approached him. He was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. 

“Hey, I’m having a bit of a problem,” I started. “I was with a man called Mike Warner a family friend of mine, just now in the entrance hall. However after he left I realised I left my phone with him. I don’t how to contact him to let him know. Could you check if he’s checked in and tell me which room I can go get my phone. He’s here to see his father who’s receiving dialysis treatment.” 

“Ma’am I’m sorry but that’s not protocol for us to disclose our patients information,” the receptionist informed me. 

“Look I understand,” I responded. ” However, I just want to receive my phone back 

I tried to be dramatic hoping it would help. 

“Ma’am it’s not protocol. I’m so sorry but I can’t help you,” he said. Looks like my lying and drama wasn’t good enough. 

Seeing as the receptionist was not budging I would have to resort to the final thing I had up my sleeve. I took out a 100 dollar bill and took out the papers with my diagnosis report. I then hid the money underneath the papers. 

“Please I just want my phone back,” I repeated to him as I flashed the paper in such a way that he saw the money but the people around didn’t. 

His eyes then widened at the sight of the money. My eyes narrowed as I waited for him 

12:55 

1/4 

< 

41 Bribing my way 

to take the bait. He looked at me with a troubled expression as he eyed the money. 

“Alright, just this once,” he eventually said. 

Oh thank god! I internally celebrated. 

I gave him the report so he could secretly take the money before giving it back to me, 

He then asked for a file that was close to the receptionist beside him. He checked through the large book file which recorded patient visitors. They would come in and sign their name before going to visit the patient 

“Yes, Mike is checked in,” he said. 

What a relief that he’s here. I thought to myself. 

“And for the patient, you said dialysis, right?” he asked me to confirm. 

“Yes,” I confirmed. 

He looked at the computer before him. I waited as his mouse clicked away. 

“The patient is Edward Warner, he’s in room 314,” the man informed me. 

“Thank you,” I told him and walked away. I couldn’t believe I had to bribe him I thought to myself as I put away the report in my bag. 

After getting Tony from the waiting area, I headed for the dialysis department of the hospital. The hospital was just as confusing as a university campus from the 

This was the Yorkshire central hospital, it was the biggest hospital in the whole city. It had the best facilities compared to other hospitals in the city and had many departments in one place. 

I reached the dialysis department building after what felt like an eternity. Upon entering the building I began searching for room 314. 

I found it on the 3rd floor of the building. I approached the door and slowly I peeked through the small window of the door. Looking inside I found an elderly man who lay on the hospital bed in the middle of the room. He seemed to be asleep with his eyes 

closed. 

He was alone no one else was in the room. 

To be honest I didn’t know what I was going to say to Mike when I saw him. I was just concerned for him and wanted to see what I could find out. 

12:55 

2/4 

< 

41 Bribing my way 

“I’m sorry can I help you?” A female voice said from behind me. Tony and I jumped back 

in surprise. 

I turned round in and found a young girl standing behind us. She appeared to be a teenager. Maybe 16, 17 years I don’t know. She was of middling height, had curly dirt–blonde hair. Brown eyes and freckles. Instantly I noticed she had striking similarities to Mike. I knew they were related. 

“I’m looking for Mike,” I told her. 

“That’s my brother do you know him?” She asked me. 

“I’m his coworker at the restaurant he works, and you?” I asked her. 

“I’m his little sister, Victoria,” she told me. “Is there a reason you’re looking for him?” 

“I just want to talk to him. Where is he right now?” I explained to her. 

“He’s gone outside the building for a bit. But he’ll be back soon,” she said to me. 

“And who might you be you be?” She greeted my son with the widest grin. 

“I’m Tony,” he introduced himself with a shy smile. 

“I didn’t know Mike had close friends he’s never introduced them to me,” she said. 

“We’re co–workers I wouldn’t say that,” I told her. 

So Megan hadn’t met her? I asked myself. 

“I mean you must be if you’re coming all this way to see him,” she said. Little did Victoria know I’d bribed my way in here. 

12:55