Finally got to the dentist. No problems. Just it's been a year and half and I like to get the teeth cleaned. Especially down along the gum lines just to avoid problems. But I am thinking maybe that isn't necessary. They say it is but it's a good chance it is just advertising. When they get me in the chair they want to redo my whole my mouth and try to scare me into $15,000 worth of work. I only have maybe ten or twenty years at the most left in this body. Not a good investment even if I did have the money.
New dentist. It's a national chain of dental health care clinics. (Maybe I should stop writing here.) Dozens of people running here and there. It was a three ring circus. TV blaring daytime torture. The herd of patients corralled in their chairs.
My turn. No uniform and hair down to her mid-back flying everywhere.
"Are you the dentist?"
"Oh no," pointing to a midget in blue sitting behind a computer in the middle of the mayhem.
No name tag. No introduction. No hello. Just points to a chair.
That'll be $47. (I'm buying or renting a chair?)
"What is that for?"
"X-rays"
"My insurance always covers the x-rays"
"Well it isn't showing that in the computer. You can pay on the way out."
With back turned to me chit-chatting with the other workers, lot of laughing and giggling. Hair flying. Do I really want these people tromping around in my mouth?
I ran for the door.
They ran after me like I was an escapee from a lock down unit.
Demanding, "Stop! Where are you going?"
I stopped. I forgot I hadn't paid for anything yet and somehow thought I needed a refund. Otherwise I just wouldn't have stopped at all.
"I don't feel confident."
Now I do look a little different with the shaved head and soon I found myself surround by a crowd.
"Why don't you feel confident?" (If I don't answer this properly there is a straight jacket and a padded cell waiting for me.)
"I don't know. It's a feeling. Do I have to have a reason?"
That stymied them for minute but then they were back at it again. They couldn't let me walkout. I might have been offended or insulted by someone and OMG what if I filed a complaint with corporate?
"No. No. Everything is fine." The faces all zooming in very close now waiting to hear the truth. "Everyone is doing just fine, I'm not complaining about anyone." A group sigh. "I just want to find a smaller office. There's just too much going here for me."
The path opened up and the door was accessible. I was free to go.