Lomstere

Image source: meta AI generated

Lomstere is a lone town located in the east of the country. It has one central market, a hospital and a recreational centre.

“I never thought of coming back to this place. The experience I had was not pleasant at all. The first time I came to this place I vowed never to come to a place like this either by mistake or by compulsion. No one deserves to be treated as a subhuman.” Richard soliloquizes reminiscing on his experience in the hospital the last time he came. From his looks, one could tell that he was not happy at all. With loads of resentment in his heart, the bike man just dropped him by the hospital gate and the hospital insignia welcomed him first. “Welcome to our hospital” he walked in through the gate. A few steps into the entrance of the hospital environment he was called back by the hospital security manning the gate. “What have I done”? He thought. He had forgotten to follow the instruction that was boldly written at the entrance to the hospital “no facemask no entry” probably because of his state of the heart, he couldn't see it.

“What is it”? He queried the security man who was fully kitted with a navy blue coloured military shirt and a brown baggy trouser. In his right hand, is a wooden batten and his name is boldly written on the left shoulder level of his shirt. His dark skin and fiery eyes could send the right signal to anyone who might want to misbehave within the hospital environment.
As Richard approached the security man expecting to hear what he would say to him, he instead pointed to the “no facemask, no entry” rule. “O, I am so sorry” he apologized as he dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out his facemask, put it on his face and walked away.

The path to the hospital building is full of people walking in and out, vehicles are parked all over the premises. Suddenly, as Richard was trying to navigate his way to the mental health department to get prescription drugs for his mentally deranged brother, an ambulance drove into the hospital premises and halted at the emergency unit. A building that stood behind the administrative block of the hospital. As the ambulance halted, two nurses and a doctor came out and as the boot of the vehicle opened, a woman with a bloated stomach was rapidly taken out into the building. Not long after, another vehicle came in. From their behaviour, one could tell that they were the relatives of the pregnant woman.

Richard was distracted by the event, he stood afar and watched. After a while, he moved on to his business.

Two months ago, his younger brother was discharged from this hospital and the doctor's advice, they were told to always come around and get his prescription drugs which would sustain him for the next six months. The last time Richard came to get the drugs, he met with a rude and ill-mannered pharmacist who had promised never to attend to Richard whenever he came to get drugs. They had a very fierce confrontation that almost resulted in a fight if not for the intervention of other customers.

Here is Richard coming again to meet with this enemy of his. As usual, the store was full of people waiting to get drugs and behold, it was the same pharmacist who was attending to people. Richard quietly joined the queue and patiently waited for his turn. After about 45 minutes of waiting, it was time for Richard to get his prescription drugs, he handed over the piece of paper to the pharmacist. As the pharmacist lifted her face to see who she was about to attend to, she immediately recognized him. After looking at him from head to toe he hissed and said “So you're here again, I thought you said you'd never come to this place. Sorry, it's time for my launch, it's either you wait or you go” it was obvious that the girl didn't want to attend to Richard. She opened the rear door and left Richard standing at the counter. After about 30 minutes she came back and sat on her chair. Richard still stood there quietly.
“What is your problem”? Richard thundered as he hit his wrist on the counter.
“You can go to hell, I am not attending to you” She stood up and walked closer to Richard. “The last time you came to this place, you almost set this place ablaze, why are you here again”? She asked sternly looking at him as though she should slap him.
“Madam” Richard called out “I am here to get drugs, don't provoke me” he added pointing his finger at her.
“What's going on there?” a customer from the other end asked.
“How long will we wait here for you”? Another customer echoed in.
“If you can't wait, go home” she arrogantly responded to them

There is no doubt that Rosemary has been so rude to her customers. Many people have complained about her behaviours to the hospital management yet nothing was done about it.

On this fateful day, as her conversation with Richard became heated, the director of the hospital suddenly showed up at the pharmacy and saw things by himself.

“You mean, you've been this rude to our customers?” He said walking towards the counter. I have received a series of complaints about your nonchalant attitude and today will mark an end to it.” He said angrily facing Rosemary. After he finished scolding her, He turned to Richard and the other customers apologized and promised to take disciplinary action against Rosemary.