The clipboard held the names of new patients recently admitted to the hospital. Nurse Redheart flipped through it, checking names. It was something she did every morning.
Redheart was well suited to the job of working at a hospital. While it was sometimes a pain to clean off her white coat after a long day at work, her red cross cutie mark indicated that there was nothing she’d rather do.
As she skimmed the clipboard, Redheart noted a new patient admitted in the east wing that she hadn’t yet seen to. Covering the whole hospital was not her duty, but it was always a good idea to know the patients in the building. Checking the time before her next round of patient visits were scheduled, Redheart set off to visit the pony who had been signed in under the name Business.
She found the room and knocked before entering. An elderly stallion lay on the bed, the sheets pulled away from his body. He was mostly a pale color, and his mane looked like it may have been darker before going grey with age.
He greeted her as he came in. “Could you open the window, please? It’s a bit warm in here.”
“Certainly.” Redheart moved to do as he asked. As a cool breeze began to enter the room, Business pulled up his sheet, covering a black lightning bolt on his hip.
Redheart took note. “That’s an interesting cutie mark.”
Business chuckled. “Well young lady, I got it when I realized I wanted to be a superhero.”
“Oh really?” Redheart quirked an eyebrow.
The stallion smiled. “Of course, that never happened, but I sure looked cool when pretending in my Nightmare Night costume.”
Redheart frowned. “How does that work? Your special talent is something you never actually did?”
“It’s not that simple.” Business smiled. “Do you have a moment to listen?”
There were things Redheart needed to do. Get an early start on the afternoon’s task. Take advantage of the fresh pot of coffee in the break room. Instead, she smiled and took a seat in the chair beside the bed. “Sure, I’ll listen.”
Business smiled again. “Many years ago, when I was just a young colt, I was a dreamer. I dreamed of grand ideas; things I could see or do, worldwide things larger than just myself. Actually, I still do that.”
He cleared his throat. The cough did not sound healthy, but Business seemed like he didn't want Redheart to worry about him. He asked, “What do you dream about, miss?”
Redheart was taken aback. “I...I’m not really sure I understand.”
“What would you like to do with your life?” Business asked gently.
“Well, I have a good job here at the hospital.”
“It’s a fine profession.” Business nodded approvingly. “I myself worked in a couch factory for years.”
It was not a particularly funny line, but the inflection he put on it brought a smile to Redheart’s face.
