The Fall and Rise of Dr. Shin Tsukichi

Spoiler

 

"Alright. State your name, and position within our establishment for the records."
"My name is Shin Tsukichi, I am a medical practitioner here at the medical center. I hold a PHD and an MD, and I handle standard walk in clientele as well as scheduled therapy sessions. I-.."
"Yes. Moving on. Can you tell me what occurred June 4th, 5:45 P.M. During your time with Mr. Charles Hubrey?"
"Charles? Yes. Mr.Hubrey came into my office, complaining of severe pain in his knee. Over the counter pain medicine was having no effect o-..."
"Can you tell us what you saw in the client's previous medical history?"

"...Ahem... Yes. The client was previously in a car wreck, three years ago. Surgery on the knee was done, bolts placed in his knee. Nothing else was relevant to the-.."

"Mister Tsukichi. I'll ask you again. What was in the client's previous medical history that stood out?"

"...Nothing aside from the records about the knee. Mister Goldstein wha-..."
"Miss Oswald. Would you read the client's medical file for the records please?"
"Charles Hubrey. Thirty Six years old. No previous major or minor surgeries. Listed as having attended Drug Rehabilitation, twice. Both times dropping out, and returning to substance abuse. Mr. Hubrey was put on a black list for any form of prescribed Pain Medication due to the abuse of the substance, and any attempt to gain more without proper medical need was to be reported to the authorities immediatly."

"Wait. No, that wasn't-.."
"Mister Hubrey was prescribed what, miss Oswald?"
"Oxycodone, as prescribed by Doctor Shin Tsukichi."
"And effective as of yesterday, June 20th, at 8:32AM Mister Hubrey was considered deceased. Caused by Drug Overdose. Mister Tsukichi, you prescribed him the medicine he used-.."

"No! The medical records I was given did not s-.."

"THE MEDICINE he used before his death, in over abundance. Medical records shouldn't be a-.."
*SLAM* "THE MEDICAL RECORDS I WAS GIVEN DID NOT SAY ANY OF TH-.."

"YOU WILL BE SILENT! Frankly, you have never made a single mistake in all the time we've employed you. But your careless actions and basic neglect of medical records ended a man's life. I'm sorry, but effective immediatly you are terminated, and your medical license is now revoked."

"Wait! Please, listen to-.."
"You may take him away. Mr.Tsukichi is to empty out his office of personal belongings, then vacate the building."
*Click*

 

 

I remember the smile on my face as I turned off the recording, there was sadistic glee in my smile as I looked across the table at him. His name was Jeffery Quijada, he WAS a nurse practitioner at the hospital I worked at. Though tonight, he was my prisoner. Bound to the chair across from me, his lips taped so he couldn't scream. Judging by the medical coat he was no longer just a nurse, but a full doctor. As well as the namecard I had in my hand, slowly spinning it in circles on the table. I could remember thinking to myself that this was far too easy in the end, that I was expecting more of a challenge in figuring out why and how I got screwed. I remember looking to him again, chuckling softly before speaking. "So I know what you're thinking... How did I get my hands on the tape. Well you see, theres a LOT you can accomplish when you grease the right palms. Jennifer especially. You lay a few hundred out for her, and she's more than happy to let some of the records vanish for a night. Including this tape. So.... I want you to think about the first words you want me to hear, and calmly say them to me."

 

It was funny, listening to him mumble. Trying to talk through the tape as I laughed. I'd not forgotten he was gagged, I just wanted to revel in the struggles he was making. I stand up, walked over to him, and ripped the tape from his lips. I was not gentle. "Silly me. I forgot. Now, what were you saying?" He opened his mouth, yelling at me, "YOU MOTHER FUCKER! You won't get a-.." I quickly covered his mouth, picking up the knife from the tape and pressing it's tip to his throat. "Shhhhh sh-sh-shhh... My mother is asleep upstairs. If you wake her, I'm going to be less than pleased. And trust me, given the current situation you're in? You do not want me to be less than pleased. Now... LETS try this again. WHAT do you have to say to me? Hm?" I could see the fear in his eyes as he stared at me, his lip trembling as he dug for words. "You have to believe me. I didn't-.." A quick flick of the wrist, and I'd made a very minor cut in his neck. Only enough to sting, and draw small bits of blood. "I suggest you do not lie to me. Now, try again." He struggled against his binds, more than likely pissing himself literally by now. "I brought you the records as they appeared! There was nothing-.." "Nothing that stood out, nothing tampered with. Well, whats funny is that I checked his records. I checked them back to three years ago. He never had that surgery. So tell me... Why did it say he did on the records you brought me? Hmmm?" He struggled more, before finally letting out a groan of defeat, his head tilted down as he began to mumble his words at me. I gripped him by the hair, made him look in my eyes at me. "What was that?"

 

"I was denied three times a promotion to Medical Practitioner. I was told they didn't have any more availability. I thought they would just fire you, not take away your lic-.." It felt way too good when my hand went across his face. A firm impact that was sure to leave behind a bruise, before I grabbed his hair and made him look in my eyes once more. I was sure at this point that all the emotion in my eyes had faded to cold nothingness. "So you took the medical information, edited it, and framed me just to get my job? Honestly? Pathetic. Doctors are supposed to HELP people, and you chose to throw a fellow human under the bus just to progress your future." "It wasn't my idea!" "Oh? So it wasn't your idea? So you just happen to be held at gun point and told to screw me over just to progress your future in the company?" I threw him back against the chair, hard enough the chair flew back and he landed on the floor. I thought I heard some of the wood crack against his back, but ignored it. My movements were slow, ominous, and hopefully impactful as I wandered around the table to the tape recorder. I pressed eject, taking the tape from it. "You know. It sickens me that it worked, not that you did it. So the question then is what would make for delicious karma..." "It wasn't my idea! Bernie!" I flung the tape at his face, "Bernie?" "I mean... Mister Goldstein... He told me if I wanted to be promoted I'd have to either wait, or find a reason for some of the competition to be removed. So I uh... I figured this would get me in. You were the freshest doctor, it didn't seem like it would cause that much issue."

 

I don't remember moving, I don't remember throwing the table to the side or the shattering of the tape player. I don't remember grabbing him by his throat, thumb pressing down on his wind tunnel. I barely remember the rage in my words. "HE put you up to this!? No wonder he wouldn't let me speak. No wonder he was quick to dismiss me. That.. Arrogant cunt!" I remember the look in his eyes, as I held his head down against the floor and grit my teeth. "Was there anything else!? Did anyone else help you?" He shook his head frantically, barely wheezing the word 'no.' "Good." The next moments were a blur. A quick flash of the knife, the look in his eyes, and then the pool of blood around his throat. I barely recall stuffing him into the trashcan in the basement, or cleaning up the blood. I hardly recall sneaking him outside, and throwing him in a dumpster several blocks away, hiding him under the bags. I knew the waste force around here, they would empty the can with the lift and ignore anything until they arrived at the dump. By the time I got home I was out of it, going back in through the basement and cleaning up myself, before heading upstairs in my night attire.

 

"Shin. Kikoeta subete no sōon wa nanideshita ka?[Shin. What was all that noise I heard?]"

 

My mother's words startled me as she came into the kitchen. I was in the middle of making myself dinner, as she entered. She had been asleep, she was always out by eight. I smiled serenely at her, chuckling. "Gomen'nasai, okāsan. Sore wa watashi. Watashi wa terebi o amarini mo ōkiku shite ita ni chigainai. Watashi wa shōrai sore o mukō ni shiyou to shimasu. Beddo ni modoru. [Sorry mom. It was me. I must have had the television up too loud. I'll try to turn it down in the future. Go back to bed.]" She gave me her loving but annoyed groan, turning to head back before pausing, pointing to my hand. " Shin. Anata wa anata no te ni chotto konran shite imasu. Anata ga chōri suru mae ni tekisetsu ni arau koto o wasurenaide kudasai. Oyasumi. [Shin. You have a bit of a mess on your hand. Don't forget to wash properly before you cook. Goodnight.]" I looked to my hand, seeing that I'd missed some blood around the back of my fingers, chuckling softly. I wished her a good night, scrubbed my hands once more under hot water, then went to sleep.

 

 

My name is Shin Tsukichi. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, with my mother, two brothers, and a sister. Our father died of health issues before I was born, and my mother took ill shortly after I turned ten. I've been a staple of this home, helping nurse and tend to everyone. I dropped out of school and obtained a G.E.D. so I could help them, until my brother Jin was old enough to do it in my place. Our family moved from Osaka, Japan when I was still young, and most of us are still barely speaking english. I attended college shortly after I turned 20, and graduated with both PHD and MD at the age of 26. When I was 29 I was betrayed and lost my position, my licenses, and my life. To this day my family still considers the mistake my own, and I would prefer them to see it that way than know what I've done to find out the truth. The truth is I've lied, bribed, and beat information out of people slowly until I learned the truth. Tonight, I would enact the vengeance of those crimes against me. But first, I must tend to breakfast.

 

I live in the basement of the house, which also acts as my garage. Ours is a multilevel house, and as the oldest I'm allowed this gift so I may feel as if I have my own house. I wake up at 6:45AM sharp each day, rise and bathe quickly, then begin breakfast by 7:00am. I cook for my little sister and my youngest brother first, packed lunches for school. One is in high school, the other in middle school. Once they leave, I have time to make food for myself and my middle brother as he leaves for work. We sit and talk a bit as we eat, then he heads out for the day. Then I prepare a meal for my mother, and feed her in bed. Usually, this comes with a long talk about how much better I can do with my life, and how I need to stop sitting around the house. Though it has only been a month, I am already short on my emergency funds. Then I drive her to our friend Nora Hawkes' place, where she is watched during the day. I predict today she may go and see her friends at the nursing home, play some checkers and tell stories. Half of the time, these are about me. Once the house is to myself, I spend a few hours cleaning up the main rooms of the hold, and then my mother's room. I take this time to prepare my wardrobe, then return downstairs to clean my own room. From 10AM-1PM I entertain myself with movies, news, and painting. Then I shower again, dress, and head out for the day. First, I go get my hair cut. I like to do this monthly, it keeps my hair short and kept. Then I head to the unemployment office to hear if theres any updates on work, or to check my unemployment wages status. Sadly, I doubt I will be granted such a blessing due to my removal.

 

By 3 I go shopping for whatever our home needs. Today I also stopped by the hardware store to gather a few things to repair the leaky roof. The weather has been hell this month. Following that, I return home and prepare dinner for the entire family. By 5, mother is home and it is time to eat. We sit around the table, we dine, we complain about american life changes that conflict with our culture. Mother turns in by 6 to watch old movies in her room. Jin goes to shower. Hana and Yoshiro go do their homework. By 8 I take mother her midnight tea, then help her to the shower before I tuck her in for her nap. I check with Jin to see if he can take things from here, and then I begin my night. Normally, these nights begin with me going out and relaxing at whatever places are still open. Sometimes I head out for nightly motorbike rides, or head down to the bar to relax with some beer and friends. Tonight, is not one of those nights.

 

Tonight begins first with a trip to Walgreens. They always stay open late for people like me who have to wait to fill prescriptions. My mother's medicine gave me the perfect excuse to make the meet here. As I get my pills, I check the back seat. I left it unlocked while I was inside, and thankfully my true guest had came and gone. He'd left me a deal of heroine in a baggie, and had taken the money I'd left for him. The last of my emergency money. Good man, shame I won't be a repeat customer. Then its a quick trip to the bar to waste time. Come 9:45, I left to head to the medical center where I waited. Bernie Goldstein. The man who helped get me fired, and hired his stooge in my place. He was heading home around this time, and I followed him. I'd seen enough movies to know the tricks, how to keep up without making him suspicious. Once he pulled into the drive way, I'd wait.

 

- - - - -

 

When Bernie woke up, he was tied down to a chair in his den. He awoke to see me across from him. He was of course shocked at first, before speaking to me as calmly as he could. "Mister Tsukichi. I assume this is some sort of intimidation tactic? You realize that committing another crime won't further improve your chances of being a doctor again in the future, yes?" The smile on his face made me want to puke, but I met his confident smirk with my own, chuckling softly. "Doctor Goldstein. Lets cut to the chase, and you just tell me why you did it. Hmm?" He chuckled a bit, crossing his legs as he seemed to relax. "Did what? Fire you? Your incompetence with basic procedure. You killed a man. You think I would let you continue working. No, mister Tsukichi. You're not a doctor anymore, and that is your fault." I chuckled again, moved to my feet and began to walk in a slow circle around the room.

 

"You see. You only got two things right there... See this wasn't due to my negligence. I believe we both knew that. See I had a lovely talk with Jeffery. You know, the nurse practitioner that brought me the files on Mister Hubrey that day. Turns out... He had altered the information before he gave it to me. He faked medical records to get me into that spot." "Jeffery said that? Bah. Well whats done is done. No evidence to support your claims." "True... But then he went on. See, he told me how you put him up to it. How you couldn't hire another doctor, even if you wanted to. How if he wanted a position he'd have to eliminate someone's seat. "Lies and slander. He wants you to blame me, not that you needed much prodding. You're already obviously so-.." "THEN I decided to look into things more. Curious, Bernie, what your letters to your co-workers say. Shall I read them to you?"

 

I pulled out the phone in my pocket. Not my own, but Jeffreys. The look on Bernie's face was priceless, the sudden foundation of his smugness shattered as concern and fear took over. "'Come over after I get off tonight. No plans, I can make up for having to spurn you at lunch.' That was three days ago. Lets see... Oh! I like this one, 'You look cute in those slacks. They think I'm out for lunch, you know which closet to meet me in. I sent the Janitor home early today, so no one will look for us.' My my... Spicy." "Where.. Did you get that?" I tossed the phone into his lap, smirking softly. "Same place I got the spare key to your house. Jeffrey. Such a helpful guy, no?" He glared at me, trying to sit up before he fell back to the chair, a loud thud crashing through the place. "Well fuck Jeffrey. You want his job? He's fired. The fucker broke up with me anyways so screw him! After all I did to help him."

 

"Tsk tsk tsk. You're still getting things wrong. No, see, I sent that text. I knew you'd like it. Stuck at work, unable to react to it. See, I pieced it all together. You took Jeffrey on as a lover shortly after he was hired, but he lacked the credentials to be hired on as a doctor straight out. You intended to promote him, but then I come into the picture. You turn me down, it looks suspicious on you. You had to keep the affair secret, after all. Mrs. Goldstein wouldn't like to know about your affair, let alone how it would look to the workstaff that you were fucking the new hire. You can't sleep with your employees, after all. BUT... What if he was promoted? Then you could shift locations while he makes a premium paycheck, all those sweet benefits. You then leave the wife, and move in with Jeffrey. But first, he had to be promoted. So you helped him fake records, and get me shitcanned. You had it all planned out... But you didn't think about me getting revenge. You made it look like I killed someone. You took away my life."

 

"Wh... What did you do to Jeffrey?" I chuckled, "See. I did say you got two things right. I DID kill a man. Just... It wasn't Mr.Hubrey." The look in his eyes. Like a feral animal, as he thrashed against the restraints. "You piece of shit! You won't get away with this! I'll fucking gut you!" I just chuckled, taking the baggie out now, and sitting it on the table infront of us. Opening it, and pulling out the syringes within. I laid each one down on the table, as I spoke. "See, you're wrong again. They found his body too late. He was already on the trash line when they realized there was a body in that dumpster. I didn't leave a trace, I'm smart enough to know those basics. So.. Lets see... Twenty two hours since his body was found.. Thirty four since you sent this text.. And I quote, 'You can't do this to me. I made you, mother fucker and I can end you!' Now.. That smells like motive to me. But.. You've been safe. For now. As I've kept his phone on my person. So what happens now you may be asking yourself? These needles have more than enough Heroine combined to cause an overdose. I've tied you perfectly to simulate the same actions one would take before injecting themselves. I'm going to inject you, in several veins. I'm going to watch you drug out. I'm going to sit your body perfectly after I untie you. I'm going to leave Jeffrey's phone where the Police can find it. When they are done, this will look like you killed him, then offed yourself. I checked, by the way. You have no Alibi for that night. You were at his place, waiting for him to get home. I bet if I went there I'll find it trashed too. Poor Mrs. Goldstein though... Thank goodness her weekend out at her mothers gives us plenty of time to reconnect."

 

"You.. You sick fuck.. And you call yourself a doctor!? You say you want to fucking help people but you're a twisted piece of shit!" I picked up one of the needles, "See. Thats atleast the other thing you got right. I'm not a doctor anymore."

 

- - - - -

 

When I got home, it was past midnight. I had left enough evidence behind to paint a good picture. I hurled Jeffrey's phone at the wall, took his spare key and threw it in the fireplace. Lighting it before I had injected Goldstein. I made sure he was too far gone to save, then made the scene. Now, I sleep. The night was empty though, no dreams only worries. I had no future here, too many people knew of my mistake and very few wanted to hire me after the fact. I spent the next day as I always did, went about fixing up the place during my free time. I came across some old brouchers my mother always kept. She liked to cut out the pretty pictures and turn them into collages. It was odd, but it did give me an idea.That night at dinner, we talked about things like normal until I spoke up. "Dakara watashi wa hanareru kamo shirenai to omou. Sonotoki watashi wa jibun de sore o tsukuru. [So, I think I may leave. Its time I make it on my own.]" My family looked at me in shock, there was infighting for a moment before we all talked it  The main concern came almost all at once, where would I go. I smiled, looked up at them, and replied. "Mā... Watashi wa san'andoreasu ga ī to kiite imasu. [Well... I hear San Andreas is nice.]"

 

 

 

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