episode 3 (2/9)

[Joseph Morreale]

Once the lunch break was over, Toni sat at her cluttered desk, busilly
typing away at her computer. She was running
through the files on some of the doctors and nurses at the
hospital to see if any of them were likely to be Mike's mystery date.
One of the doctors walked up to the counter and said,"Hi, Toni. What's
up?"
"The Roadbuster and the Mach V are racing in the parking lot again,"
she said without glancing up from her monitor.
"Really? Who's winning?"
"A-Ko. She jumped in just for the heck of it, and the parking lot is
suffering." She tapped a few more bottons and then said, "Say, where's that
report you said you were going to get me. I've been waiting since this morning
for it."
The doctor gave Toni a distressed look and said, "Uh,well, I was busy
so I gave it to an Anime who was headed your way."
"I didn't see any Anim-" Suddenly a look of alarm
crossed Toni's face. "Wait! Which Anime did you give it to?"
"I don't know one Anime from the other. You know that."
"Then describe him," Toni pressed. "Can you at least say which universe
he came from?"
He thought for a bit, and finally said, "Um, well, he was wearing a
yellow headband with black marks on it, and he looked angry about something. I
think he was from one of the Takahashi Universes."
Toni clutched her head in frustration. "I knew it! You gave the file to
Ryouga, you moron! You'd better find him before he gets out of the hospital, or
it could be next year before I finally get that file!"
The doctor edged away from the counter, stuttering,"Y-Yes Toni. I-I'll
get right to it!" and with that he left down towards the south wing.
When Toni finally looked up from her computer again, she noticed that
the Lobby had gotten considerably packed since the last time she looked. "All
right, everyone, come up and tell me what's wrong."
A large group of Animes approached Toni. As they got closer, Toni
mumbled to herself, "Macekans. Not them!" She
studied each one in turn and began to puch up their files on the computer.
"Lisa Hayes, depression because of lost love. Rick Hunter, anxiety over love
triangle. If you'd just dump that rotten little brat you wouldn't be having
these problems.
Minmei, depression because nobody likes you anymore. Gee, looks like you've got
the last appointment, so take a seat. Bowie,depression because of lost love.
Scott Bernard, depression
because of lost love... More lost loves... Still more lost
loves. How many of you have lost loves anyways?"
Nearly half of the assembled Macekans raised their hands in response to
the question, although they did so
half-heartedly.
"I know what'll cheer you up!" Minmei said suddenly. "I'll sing for
you!"
"NO! DON'T!!!" Everyone said. Minmei pouted and sat back down, while
everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
Toni looked back to her monitor. "Seems that everyone is here because
you're upset about one thing or another. How in the world did you all get
scheduled for the same day?"