
PHOTO PROMPT © Nancy Richy
Just What the Patient Ordered
“The doctor will see you now.”
Startled from doomscrolling, I look up into the creased face of Harriet. She’s wearing Golden Girl themed scrubs today. I follow her away from the fuzzy grey chairs of the fuzzy grey room.
In stark contrast, Dr. Houdini’s cherry-wood-paneled office, with its colorful impressionist paintings and mildly lewd sculptures, is welcoming. Its red leather divan is dotted with cubist-themed merino wool pillows.
Dr. Houdini, with his infinite green eyes, seems small behind his giant penis-shaped desk.
The leather creaks as I sit.
“Come to mama,” I say.
Dr. Houdini smiles and rises.
[~98 words]

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.

errr… not sure to make of this one! I’m going to have to check back and read other comments for clues, I think!
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Sorry to leave you clueless, Jen :) No worries. Probably a good sign.
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Was gonna asked about the “Golden Girl themed scrubs,” but then was thrown by the “giant penis-shaped desk.” Not sure what’s going on here or if I even want to know.
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No worries, Liam. Thanks for giving it a chance.
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Well there’s a band of characters to work with. Call me intrigued.
Tracey
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Thanks much, Tracey.
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I can hazard an interpretation. The narrator isn’t a patient but a provider of services. But I may have got this quite wrong
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It isn’t quite what I was thinking, but that version is hella good. I like how your mind works. Thanks, Neil.
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That’s what I wondered too, Neil. She certainly seems like a … dominant character
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:)
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I was left thinking the same thing as Neil.
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Perhaps she pretends to be a patient to the elderly receptionist? I think the old woman is on to them though ;)
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How very erotic. My mind draws a veil over the next few lines…
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<3 Probably a good idea.
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he’s rising to the occasion, i suppose?
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He certainly is. Thanks for reading and your comment, Plaridel.
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I sense the patient has become the provider, though I may be wrong! You sure have us all intrigued!
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I love the way you put that, Keith. I think you and Neil have tweaked the story better than my original imagining.
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Wow. I like it a lot. An affair with the doctor, eh? Very nicely crafted. Loved the penis-shaped desk. Good clue, too! Brava!
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Thanks so much, Susan :)
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Dear Lisa,
I might have thought the patient was the one offering the um…services. But reading the comments, I’m not so sure. I like fuzzy grey chairs in the fuzzy grey room. Great description that sets the tone.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you know how it is with stories. You birth them and let them fly out into the world. Thank you for your always kind comments.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I love the descriptions of the waiting room and Dr. Houdini’s office. A bit of subtlety in that. And Dr. Houdini? What a delightfully choice name
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Alicia, you know how they say some psychiatrists work miracles with their patients? I thought Dr. Houdini would be perfect. Thank you :)
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Intriguing descriptions in this one. I agree with the others. It seems she is the provider of services. Creative!
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:) She’s the one writing the prescription for sure!
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I wonder what the Dr intends to cure. There is an erotic tone creeping in, I can’t imagine the desk rising.
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Fun comment. Thanks, James :)
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That last line is a head-scratcher, Lisa …. not to mention the penis desk. This sounds like one sick puppy.
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Thanks for reading and trying to “get” the story.
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It’s a little weird for me since this pic was actually taken in my doctor’s waiting room! Sometimes it’s not easy to separate fact from fiction.
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Nancy, I laugh to think of you the next time you go to the doctor and wonder…
Sorry if my story threw you off.
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So many questions. Two fabulous characters hinting at more to be told. I’m intrigued
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Laurie thanks so much :)
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I’m with Neil on the association and wondering about what exactly is going on, and who is ‘servicing’ whom …
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lol Thanks, Na’ama!
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:D
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I hope Dr. Houdini is paying for this session! heheheh
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Oh he will pay ;)
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Well that, was creepy.
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Thanks for reading, Dawn.
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Very creative Li! :D
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:) Thanks, Carol Anne.
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