PARADISA LOST

[Step, step, step, step. A swish of a knee-length lab coat. A warm, pleasant voice that sounds as though it belongs to a man in his forties, dictates:]

Good evening, castle. My name is Dr. Albrecht Winston Cabot, but please, just call me Al. [a chuckle]. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I've come to the grave realization that the people of this castle need immediate medical attention. But fret not, ladies and gentlemen. For the remainder of my stay, I will be available for check-ups and treatments at all hours of the day. My services are limited, and, to be quite frank, I'm a little daunted by the task ahead of me. But please, don't let that trouble you. I will try to accommodate for as many patients as I can each day.

[Well, that's a little odd and bears investigation. During her entire stay here, Alicia has never had the pleasure of someone dictating directly outside of her room before. She'll poke her head out curiously, but opt not to interrupt him]

... Ah. In fact, I think I can begin my rounds right away. Good evening, young lady. I believe you're in need of a check-up.

[Steps out into the hall and grins] Evening. I wasn't aware that the clinic offered door to door services, definitely wasn't included in my introduction. I'm going to have to pass though, I feel perfectly fine.

Don't worry. It will only hurt for a moment.

You know, all the good doctors lie and say it won't hurt a- [She'll back up a step or two, completely startled and then start screaming]

[The sound of something very large and very sharp making its way through her upper body. There's a sharp inhalation and a desperate choke, followed by small gagging sounds before her body drops to the floor with a muffled thump]

... I'm sorry, child, did I surprise you? Well, hang in there; I'll fix you up post-haste.

[Slicing sounds. By the time anyone gets there, the doctor will be gone and her body will be, uh, all over the place.]

[[plot start!]]