Dr. Diamond Pt. 1

The dentist offices of Dr. Diamond and Dr. Shaw, located in an affluent area of suburban New York are clean and cold. The inner corridors beyond the reception smells of rubber gloves and sanitizer. Behind the counter the receptionist paints her nails and sips coffee. Only her hands, brushing each other delicately can be seen from the low frosted glass panel. The office is such that you have to bend down and talk to the space between the glass and the counter upon entering. Once seated, the patients listen to the assistants with two-year degrees taking standing calls from behind the foggy glass. They shuffle the numerous magazines, getting up for another or trading some. Golf Today, Beautiful Skin, Washington Dump, East Hamptons Travel, Time for Kids. They were all scattered on the little end tables next to big fake plants. The philosophy was too keep a broad spectrum of magazine subscriptions and a working coffee maker in the waiting area at all times, and they would come. The location helped of course.

The names Dr. Diamond and Dr. Shaw are plastered outside on the third floor of the office building. The building is white stone with black mirrored windows. The sign is highly visible from the Starbucks and the main stretch of downtown traffic . The suburban New York hamlet boasts some of the priciest real estate the country has to offer. The neighborhoods date back to the 1800s. Contemporary but historical. Near the train. Circled with SUVs. An entire immigrant population sustained on lawn care, house upkeep, and surrogate parenthood.

Susan Clancy was new to the neighborhood. She was single with a job as a Nurse Practitioner and renting a decent little apartment above a vitamin and supplements shop. Without insurance yet, or a trip to the dentist in years Susan booked an appointment with Dr. Diamond on the advice of her friend; Mary Goldstien, who has been helping her adjust. Your gonna love him Mary explained as a matter of fact. 

So Mary waited and read 3 articles from Beautiful Skin before she was called into the labyrinth of halls and examination rooms. "Dr. Diamond will be with you in a moment" the assistant informed her after setting her up in the chair.

Dr. Diamond ushered himself in, made a brief introduction and a bad joke. He spent another moment bragging about someone he knew that "maybe you know too?" He showered her friend Mary Goldstien with adornment. "Such a delight that woman, if there was anyone that...you know would...Well...It would be her." He explained. "Ok lets get started!" He clapped his hands.

"My my, Miss Clancy you have the sweetest eyes. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"Not in a long time, Dr. Diamond." Susan squirmed in the reclined dentists chair, blinded by the monstrous light that hung over her face.

"Do I make you uncomfortable Miss Clancy?" Dr. Diamond spoke softly through his surgeons mask, delicately preparing a small table with various gleaming instruments.

"No, no Dr. Diamond, Its just very cold in here." Susan bit her lip.

Dr. Diamond put on latex gloves. The smell of the gloves sickened Susan. She always hated the Dentist. He picked up the scraping utensil and the mirror.

"Some people say I make them uncomfortable. My partner complains that it's bad for business. Open up, let's have a look."

Dr. Diamond made small noises once he got to look inside Susan's mouth. She even thought she heard him whisper 'yes, yes' very faintly behind his mask. Susan was sure that she hated him. She wondered how her friend Mary could ever recommend him.

"Caa uu turr ouu uh ahh?"

"Im sorry, what was that Susan?" Dr. Diamond took the utensils out of her mouth.

"I said could you turn down the air? It really is freezing in here."

"Oh look at that, you have goose-bumbs." Dr. Diamond smiled behind his mask, pinching his eyes. "Are you sure it isn't me?"

"I think it's cold is all."

"Yes, it is. I like it that way. I'm sorry, I'll be right back." He winked at her and left the room.

Susan watched Dr. Diamond slip around the corner into the hall. She sighed in disgust, "Fucking Mary," she thought. Susan felt the cold air blast die down and felt a little better. She started to remember playing Yahtzee with her mother as a child when the doctor returned.

"Hows that?" Dr. Diamond exclaimed, shutting the door behind him. He was holding a cylinder tank with an oxygen mask attached to it. 

"What the is that!?" Susan asked, frightened. 

 "Oh this is just some good old laughing gas, want some? Dr. Diamond was cheerful, like he just walked in with a six-pack.

"No, I don't. Can we finish up here? This is just a check up." Susan stopped being cordial. This was the last time she was coming here.

Dr. Diamond smiled again. "I'm sorry, Susan. Susan? You're going to have to put this mask on.

"Excuse me! I will not."

Dr. Diamond maneuvered himself in front of Susan and grabbed her wrist. "There was a slight fracture in one of your molars, and I'm going to have to put you under, so you don't feel any pain."

"Get your hands..."

"Ssshhhh, just breathe it in Susan." Dr. Diamond had the muzzle around her mouth and turned the valve on the tank three times. The tank began hissing, Susan's eyes became distant. The last thing she saw was the fading smile of Dr. Diamond.