The Blue Irises
Acacia gritted her teeth and stepped back, slipping her arm off her friend's grip. "Carrying an entity around doesn't make you one of us. Don't you dare contaminate the club. No one will listen to your scientific bullshit about hallucinations and hysteria. Help the other guy stand and bring him to the theater. Director will want to see her guest if it's that doctor."
Two males helped Kurt to his feet while the other female walked with Rhodes. She returned the crumpled calling card to Rhodes. She said softly, "Please forgive her. She was a victim of the system. Jumping from one mental institution to another scarred her."
"I wish she wouldn't blame me for it. I never wrote anything about the mind or the paranormal." Rhodes recalled all the titles of his published works. "Not one discussed any ghosts."
"Yes, but you're a famous doctor, Dr Huxley." The female held the first aid kit tightly. "We heard you were spotted in the old district yesterday. I can't believe someone like you will take an interest in Menorosa… more in our club. Are you planning to debunk our beliefs?"
Rhodes slipped the card back into his pocket. "Why? Should I? So what if you think you see ghosts all around the world? The world is formed before the sciences are established."
The female member flinched and looked up at the doctor. She couldn't help but feel drawn to his movie-star looks. She turned away and hid a blush. "Thank you for saying that… but it doesn't sound believable if coming from a researcher like you."
"I was a trauma surgeon. I just happen to have published works." Rhodes insisted. However, he didn't know what annoyed him about the small difference to outsiders.
"A trauma surgeon? Did you kill someone that got your license revoked?" Kurt joined their conversation, getting the attention of the group. Even if Acacia and the others weren't actively listening, they could hear the talkers in such a quiet place.
"Your license is revoked?" "I thought you were a science channel poster boy." "You're a real doctor?"
Rhodes glanced at the men behind them. He sighed and turned around, walking backward at their pace. "My license is suspended, not revoked, but it's completely useless right now. I was a legitimate doctor working at New Pearson Medical Center… but I resigned. My stay in Menorosa isn't for a visit. I'm living here now. Any other questions?"
Acacia stopped and turned, holding a hand out to catch Rhodes's back. She asked with a hostile tone, "What made you return? Didn't you leave Menorosa decades ago?"
The doctor shifted his position to face Acacia and keep out of her reach. "Were your parents affected by Faded Rose's decline? I'll apologize for that, but I'm more interested in helping it breathe again. If they don't have jobs, they can apply at the hotel."
With a hiss, Acacia retracted her hand. "My parents are not jobless. They're dead. Don't walk backward. If you knock into me, I will punch you. You guys, save the talking for later."
Rhodes narrowed his gaze at her. However, arguing was only reserved for people he wanted to listen to. The doctor only walked properly after Acacia returned to walking. The whole group was also quiet along the way. Everyone else was younger than Acacia, aside from Rhodes who was the same age. They could only abide by the woman's words.
…
The old theater didn't stand out from the rows of desolate buildings. If someone drove by, they wouldn't think the theater was operational. Most buildings in the Gloom were like that. However, unlike the alleys Rhodes passed by earlier, people were spotted walking the silent streets around the theater. A small grocery and a watch repair shop had people walk inside them.
Rhodes entered the big double doors, bypassing the closed ticket booth. He stood inside the wide lobby where people could buy food or wait for their companions. However, the lobby was empty, and the food booths had no food to serve.
Acacia led the group to a room on the third level. It was a wide room with mirrors on one side. It was the rehearsal room for the troupe. She had two of the males roll out a board to the side. Some other members of the Gentle Club sat around that spot, watching Rhodes and Kurt with a big dip in their interest.
"Isn't that Dr Huxley? What is he doing here?" Another member recognized the doctor who couldn't hide his face. He turned to his seatmate. "I thought we don't do psychiatric evaluations here."
"I'm not a psychiatrist. I can't make evaluations." Rhodes didn't join the sitting crowd. However, Kurt had to lie down carefully. His back still hurt like his spine was severed. He only reminded the other person about what to do now that the pain persisted.
Acacia only watched Rhodes for a while. She turned away as soon as Rhodes acknowledged the weight of her gaze. The leader cleared her throat. It was time to present their new members. "Everyone, please say hi to Mr Kurt and Dr Rhodes.
"Please flip the board. Let everyone know what you see, Mr Kurt, Dr Rhodes." She had to facilitate the initiation while Griselda was not around.
"It really takes a while before the third mask shows up." Kurt chuckled, lifting his torso to distinguish himself from a prop cadaver on the floor. "I thought the logo only showed the comedy and tragedy masks, but I saw the third mask. The tragedy mask also appeared blue, instead of white."
The other members were amazed. Most of them could only see the third mask. Even the female member from earlier clapped and praised Kurt.
Kurt chuckled and rubbed his nose. He looked up at Rhodes. "Thanks, but Dr Rhodes should see something more amazing. He saved me from a ghost trying to kill me on my way here. Dr Rhodes, did you see what I saw?"
"…I guess." Rhodes wasn't paying attention to Kurt at all. He stared at the board with the bigger version of the picture on the calling cards. Unlike with the small card, he stared straight at the big blue eyes of the first mask. He started tilting his head as if catching words inscribed in those irises. The doctor couldn't help but walk closer, avoiding the hands and knees of the other members.
"Are those words? But they sound gibberish…" Rhodes murmured to himself, and his fingers traced the irises. "
He straightened his back and stroked his chin. His head tilted to another side. "What do you guys think? Aqua is water. I think it means 'something and water'… Igne… Fire? With fire and water?"
Rhodes finally looked behind him with a strained smile, hiding his excitement. "Guys, help me out. Or is this part of the exam?"
However, everyone looked at him like he just went crazy.