The Research Project

The Research Project

Dr. Gregory House limped through the automatic doors of the hospital emergency department.

"Hey House" yelled Wilson from across the room. "what are you doing here this late? I thought you were off tonight."

House glared back at him with bloodshot eyes. "Screw you Wilson. Since when are you my keeper huh?"

"whoa there big boy. I'm just asking the obvious question"

House cocked his head and replied "The only thing obvious is that you are a loser, stuck here on duty after midnight while the rest of the world is out there evolving." He hobbled over to the elevator, leaving Wilson speechless, pressed the call button and entered the elevator humming to himself.

On the way up to his office he wondered how much longer people would put up with his insane, rude attitude. It had all started as a joke three years ago and quickly become as addictive as the pain pills on which he was hooked. It was a game. How much abuse would his colleagues take before they finally broke down or fought back? It was his little experiment in finding the bounds of human nature; the bounds of humiliation. So far, it was the most satisfying work he had ever done. He smiled and pulled a small bottle of scotch from his jacket pocket.