The woman entered the psychiatrist’s office and approached the reception desk.
Before she had a chance to arrange an appointment the shouting began. It was coming from behind the door of the consulting room. It fact, it was more than shouting. Someone was screaming, with threats to kill. This was followed by the sounds of a scuffle with furniture being knocked over. Seeing the panic button light up, the receptionist immediately called the police. It was obvious that a violent fight was going on, no doubt between the psychiatrist and a patient. It sounded as though the medical man was pleading with the patient to drop a knife. The woman was feeling nervous and was considering whether or not she should leave. The receptionist saw the look on her face.
In a cool voice, the receptionist said, “It’ll be all right, the police are usually very quick.” Then, with a reassuring smile, she added, “They’re only a couple of buildings away.”
Moments later, two large officers burst through the front door. The receptionist stood and pointed at the relevant door. They stormed through into the room and slammed the door behind them. There was a lot more yelling and commotion. It took the two policemen a while before getting the knife from the patient. Eventually, they appeared looking dishevelled, either side of a deranged looking man in handcuffs, who was still screaming and kicking out wildly. His eyes were ablaze with a frightening degree of evil. She stood well back to let them pass. The ear-splitting shrieking could still be heard as they left the building.
“May I help you?” said the lady behind the desk, still remaining calm.
“Actually, I wanted to make an appointment,” she replied, shakily.
The receptionist nodded and began checking her book, when the psychiatrist appeared in the doorway. His glasses had a broken lens and his hair was standing up on end in places. Buttons were missing from his shirt and white jacket. One eye was swollen and he had several bruises to his face. He raised a hand to the receptionist.
In a perfectly professional manner, he smiled and said, “Since I won’t be seeing that gentleman again, would around this time on a Wednesday afternoon suit?”