Chapter Text
Harvey was anxious.
Harvey was almost always anxious, but today he was especially anxious.
Today was his first day at his new clinic. His new clinic in a new town, hundreds of miles away from the province he had spent his entire life. The province where all his family and friends lived. Admittedly, he wasn’t particularly close with his family, and as far as friends went, he had very few. The sentiment still stood, however. Here he was alone. Worse than alone. He was in charge and alone. Who had let this happen? Why had he thought this was a good idea? He was fresh out of school and residency, and he thought he should be responsible for the health of a whole town? It was a small town, sure, but that did not make things any less nerve-wracking.
He had arranged today to be an open house of sorts. People of the town were invited to come by and introduce themselves. It was intimidating to think that today would be the day everyone would come and make their first impressions of him. Perhaps Harvey was presumptuous to think everyone would come today. Oh no. What if no one came? Or what if people did come, and when he was socializing, an emergency would happen, and he would be totally unprepared? What if-?
He heard a ring of the bell at the front door.
Oh, Yoba, they were early. He thought he hadn’t even unlocked the door? Perhaps he had left it open? How irresponsible, that one point against him already.
Harvey rushed to the counter and began to recite the (rather stiff) introduction he had worked on for nearly an hour the night before.
“Hello! I’m Harvey! I am looking forward to taking care of Pelican Town’s health! I am so glad to meet you! What may I call you?”
Lewis, who Harvey had already met, approached the counter and gave a (hopefully) good natured chuckle.
“Well, I see someone has first-day-nerves! I should apologize for coming in early. I have a key, by the way.”
Harvey could feel his cheeks heat up. At least he hadn’t forgotten the lock though. He tried to give a laugh, but it came out more like a squawk. Lovely.
“I suppose I have been in my head a bit. It is a little daunting to meet the people I will be spending my life with and dedicating my work to for the foreseeable future all in one day. I hope my nerves aren’t too off putting?”
“Oh, no” Lewis offered assurance “I am sure most of the people will like you just fine! I’m proud to say Pelican Town is very hospitable”
Lewis’s attempt at assurance fell flat. Harvey blanched, and fought back another squeak
“Most?”
“Hmm?” Lewis gave a closed-mouth smile while he fiddled with the pens in a holder on the counter. Already disinterested in Harvey, probably.
“You said that most people would like me.”
“Yes, that is what I said.”
Harvey fidgeted in the proceeding pause. Lewis popped an eyebrow, indicating he was expecting a response. Harvey cleared his throat and tried to give a detached air by shuffling through a file that was nearby.
“Well…I suppose I was wondering… if, perhaps, there was a specific reason that you phrased it that way, that is to say, if there may be any problems with certain people? That isn’t to say the people are the problem. No. No, no. I guess, I just mean-”
Luckily, Lewis decided to put him out of his misery and interrupt him.
“Well, I say most because I believe that overwhelmingly our villagers are very welcoming. But, as always, there are some that are a little more…challenging. Not to speak ill of my constituents, of course.”
“Of, course.” Harvey got the feeling that Lewis did speak ill of his constituents, which only stressed-out Harvey even more–even beyond the fact that some of the villagers were going to definitely hate him.
“Well. I should be going!” Lewis clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Whether he was aware of the duress he had put Harvey into further, he didn’t let on.
“Lots of work to be done!”
He went to leave, and as he opened the door, he turned back to give a polite smile and a wave. Then he was gone.
And Harvey was alone again–alone and awaiting his early Day of Judgement.