Clam Broth

Posted on Fri Apr 15th, 2011 @ 12:13pm by Commander Michael Evans M.D.

Mission: Episode 2.1 - "Unanswered Questions"
Location: USS Pandora, various locations
Timeline: Shoreleave, MD01, evening

ON

[[USS Pandora, Shoreleave, MD01, evening]]

Crewman Jensen shut the cabinet drawer with a slam of finality after he'd tossed the last bit of equipment into it. Sickbay was finally tidied, again, which meant that he was finally free from his duty shift. Technically he didn't get off for another half hour, but he usually left an hour early and the extra mess had interfered with that. He always ate as soon as he got off duty, but since he was a half-hour later leaving than usual, now he was really hungry. He grumbled back at his empty belly as he left for the mess hall.

By the time he'd ordered his usual from the food slot and turned to the room, he found that his usual table in the corner was taken by a boisterous trio of officers. He settled for a table in the opposite corner that was out of the way and sipped his clam broth. If only he'd been able to get here at his usual time, then he might be at his familiar table. He squirmed uncomfortably on his seat.

The broth tasted off today. Supposedly the replicator made the broth exactly the same, chemically, every time it replicated it, but he could swear that wasn't so. Yes, the broth was definitely off today. Though maybe it had something to do with being at the wrong table; he wasn't sure. He looked around the room as he crunched his black-bread.

There was that couple again, over against the wall. They were always writhing all over each other conspicuously. Just look how he holds her hand across the table... shameful. And now the quiet giggle... disgusting. And there's that young lieutenant, what was her name? Ah, doesn't matter. She always walks around so smugly. See how she smiles when she approaches those other officers at my table? How can they stand her?

Jensen disposed of his dishes in the food slot. He knew what it was like to clean up after others, so he would never leave his dishes for someone else like some other people did. After all he did things right, like he was supposed to.

He went by the arbouretum for a walk, but there were too many people there. They were so discourteous, always talking loudly to each other. So he went back to his quarters for some silence. He'd acquired enough seniority to have his own quarters now, and they were barely bigger than a closet, but at least he didn't have to share with anyone anymore.

He didn't rate a window, so he got a plant instead. He carefully clipped some of the yellowed leaves from the philodendron and poked at the dirt to see if it needed water. He'd just watered it yesterday, but it was good to check just to make sure. The soil was still moist.

He sat down on his little couch. There was lint on the arm. How could lint get on the arm of his couch? He'd just run the cleaner over it last night! He picked the lint off discontentedly, then smoothed it over with his hand just to make sure.

The clam broth really did taste off today. Someone should say something. But why did he always have to be the one? Didn't anyone else care? No, he wasn't going to say anything this time. He'd just let everyone eat the slightly-off-tasting food. See how long they put up with it. If they want good-tasting food, they'll have to report it.

He went to the desktop monitor and flicked through the various news articles for an hour. Same old thing... As if space weren't big enough, everyone had to fight over it. And who did those Darians think they were to ask for even more aide from the Federation? He didn't ask for help from anybody. Nope. He didn't owe anybody anything, and nobody owed him. And those Magnosians? Who do they think they are to judge everyone else? He didn't judge. No sir.

Jensen gulped the last of his drink before heading for his bed. He glared at his plant before flicking off the light. Why did the edges always turn brown like that? Didn't he water it enough? He must've gotten a bad clipping from that botanist. People were always trying to take advantage of him. They thought he wouldn't find out, be he knew better.

The room went dark as he hit the light control, and he threw himself into bed.

That clam broth was definitely off tonight.

OFF

A post by:
Crewman Richard Jensen (NPC)
Medical Technician
USS Pandora
Played by: Lt. Commander Michael Evans