The report and the reward

When Dr. Lee stormed back into the office, he noticed Mike slumped in a chair, mumbling incoherently. A wave of frustration washed over him, but he took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. Finally, with a slow turn of his head, he faced Mike with an icy glare. But just when Mike thought he was about to get reprimanded, Dr. Lee broke out with a grin.

"Alright, let's hear it, Mike. But make it quick and straightforward. This is not a bar, and I'm not here to babysit drunkards." His voice was stern, yet soothing, creating a perfect balance of authority and comfort.

Mike cleared his throat nervously and began to speak in a loud, almost belligerent tone. But as he continued, his voice softened, and he started to tell his story with clarity and precision.

"I wonder, if suffering were a person, it would be ke... ke... Ken. He has suffered!" he said.

"What do you mean?" Dr. Lee asked.

"I don't have any problems, but I took on Ken's problem, and now everyone thinks I am the problem myself!" Mike exclaimed.

"Fine! What did I tell you before?" Dr. Lee asked him again, intonating with sadness. His gravelling voice coupled with his unpleasant countenance, reflected the huff in him. He had already noticed Mike's intentions of beating around the bush.

"You told me to be straightforward, so I'm trying to forward the message straight to you just like I should," Mike replied, "I got saved last evening, and I'm no longer a drunkard."

Mike's words amused Dr. Lee, who responded with a smile. However, when Mike saw Dr. Lee start to rise from his seat, he became frightened and changed the topic of his speech abruptly. He mournfully cried out, "Ken! Ken! Ken!"

Dr. Lee asked, "What's wrong with you? Why can't you speak clearly? You've been playing games with Ken's name for a long time. Tell me, what's Ken's issue? Or are you the problem that needs to be addressed?"

"I can't believe he will make it here again while still alive!" Mike exclaimed.

"What? What do you mean?" Dr. Lee shouted and got up from his seat sharply, his eyes fixed on Mike. He was too suspicious and uncertain of which dreadful situation had befallen Ken.

"He may! I mean, he may survive only and only if you intervene!" Mike wondered again. Dr. Lee felt pissed at his disobedience. He rapidly pushed his right hand to slap Mike, but the latter dodged it. As soon as he dodged the slap, he spoke fast of the matters at hand.

"Ken lies along Amura-Lagoro Health Centre IV road, doomed by an angry mob comprising patients and the local community. They say Ken always harasses them when they come to the facility to seek medical care. Definitely no you, no excuse for Ken! He will have to pay for his evil deeds!" said Mike.

"And you! Why are you this dirty?" Dr. Lee inquired. Mike just smiled and remained tranquil. Dr. Lee was again so displeased with his outward portrayal.

"We are not smiling here. Do you see me smile or laugh?" Dr. Lee threatened him, "I am so disappointed with you, a born a gain for a night you say, but I am still dissatisfied. You always report to the workplace late. As if that is not enough, you proceed to harass patients. After seeking trouble likewise, you rush to me filthier than a wise pig, abusing my office as you seek rescue. You sought a problem together with a friend, and now you betray him. So, tell me whatever transpired that pushed you to this state of insanity!"

Mike could not wait for more threats, so he answered sharply, "This morning as I was coming to the facility, I was chanced on by a young girl who coaxed me to hurry to the scene for Ken's rescue. I felt it on hearing his dreadful encounter with liquor, and I responded quickly. On reaching the scene, things turned out ironical. I was badly tortured by the angry mob, made to roll along a marram road as if I were a car tire, and they finally sent me here like a drone containing a bomb but with too heavy instructions to accomplish. They told me to inform you of my encounters, and I have done it."

Mike's heart raced as Dr. Lee spoke firmly, "I don't see any reason for your visit here. Return and tell them I am swamped with office work and have hardly any time to waste on useless and witless drunkards."

Mike trembled with fear as he replied, "But they threatened to come after me and for my head if I don't take you to them!"

The tension in the room was palpable as Dr. Lee's expression hardened. "But both of you will face the court laws if I go there! You will have to sit in my car and travel with me to the police station to pick up a policeman so that we can proceed to the scene. Is it clear?" Dr. Lee proposed again. Mike just stared at him silently and humbly with suspicion brimming in his heart. After a short while, he pleaded, "But I am now saved!" He immediately exited the room even before the in charge could react.

Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Lee quit his office to get Mike and move with him to the police station, but he was surprised to reach the reception at the Outpatient department and find Mike smartly dressed and humbly handling patients. He decidedly waved his hands hospitably to him and his patients and proceeded to his car. He immediately set off for Olaku police station, the nearest police station to the health center.

When Dr. Lee reached Olaku, he met one of the police officers outside the gate. He was Yen. Mr. Yen was on his way to execute his duty. Dr. Lee saw him over a short distance, stopped the car, and straightaway called out to him, "Afande!"

For the first time, he received no response. Then he exited the car, drew closer, and called out again, "Afande! Afande Alex!" This time, Yen turned and looked at him.

Yen's eyes lit up as he caught sight of him. With a sly grin, he asked, "Where is this soldier you speak of? I am Sir Alex Yen, renowned in these parts. Were you calling for me?"

"Yes, I was calling for your help, Sir Yen! But where are you heading now?" replied Dr. Lee.

"I am on duty. Soon, I shall be leaving this place for the town. At such a time, we always gather these insecurity inducers. I mean the substance abusers from within town areas. They always cause a lot of fright to people wherever they go! To them, the most vulnerable groups of people are young ladies and businessmen. A week ago, a businessman from a neighboring district lost to them a bag carrying twenty million shillings. More so, they are filthy animals in the town, fuming our town with the unpleasant smelling body odors and smoke from their tobacco as if we are kitchen roofs to persevere," said Yen.

"Well! I am blessed. I guess you could help me without coming here!" Dr. Lee wondered. He was so amazed to hear Yen talk about tackling issues arising from the misconduct of substance users.

"What do you mean?" Yen asked.

"You reduce my burden. To a great surprise, I heard you talk of these gawks, and I felt relieved. It is the reason why I am here!" Said Dr. Lee. Mr. Yen was anxious to get acquainted with the footing of Dr. Lee's concern. So, he continued listening to him while looking directly into his eyes.

"Fine! I am happy that you are concerned. But, could you please bring it out clearly?" Yen demanded.

"As I talk, a flood of those skanky animals you have been talking of renders my workplace risky. I have always cautioned them not to report at work unless they quit alcohol, but they have always been there to harass patients. I am often flabbergasted. They bolt into my office like poultry keepers dashing into a poultry yard! Today, one came running up and down, shaking the entire hospital on the pretext that his friend was doomed. Since I couldn't understand the etiology of the matter well, I excused him, but as he remains at work, it is only for vetting. He claims that he got saved the day before and is no longer a boozer. That sounds like a fictive consolation. I am dissatisfied, and his assertion awaits approval!" replied Dr. Lee.

"Okay, how may I assist you now?" Yen asked.

"We shall have to rescue the one in the dire emergency along the road," Dr. Lee suggested.

"Who do you mean?" Yen curiosily asked for clarification.

"I mean the doomed one," Dr. Lee clarified.

"Are you saying that someone is in a sorry state?" asked Yen again.

"Not just a sorry state, but it is an intense one. An angry mob is tantamount to angry dogs. Angry dogs do not hesitate to bite a person, but they do bite as fast as possible. So, we need not delay here, otherwise we shall bring home a cadaver!" answered Dr. Lee.

"Your proposal couldn't be more sincere, I second it. Then, we have to leave now! What means of transport? Fine! We shall use your vehicle. Is it okay?" Yen suggested.

"Well! That is fine, but you need to add personnel to back you up. Dealing with those people is so challenging." Dr. Lee cautioned Yen with a credible voice.

Yen immediately entered the gate of the police station silently and retreated together with two tall and sturdy policemen with muscular physiques. Dr. Lee was already in his car. The three entered the vehicle and finally set off shortly for the scene.