The room came alive with activity as each member of the staff fully realized what had just happened. Jeanie, although in a state of shock, was first to reach the phone. Using the inside emergency line she called the clinic for the medical team. Larry managed to ask Dr. Cooper if he needed any help, as he watched him move swiftly to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Kneeling down beside his boss, Larry could feel the tension and fear in the air! It was like static electricity surrounding them. Sweat beaded on Dr. Cooper's brow as he worked frantically on the boy, giving life-saving breath.
"Come on, son, LIVE!" Cooper begged aloud, then thought to himself, "I hope all those years of scientific research hasn't made me too rusty at this!"
The emergency team seemed to take forever in reaching the lab. Cooper continued the CPR treatment. Moving swiftly, the stretcher was taken down the corridor to the clinic. The room was very busy as machines were being readied for use. The janitor was quickly placed from the stretcher to a bed and all necessary monitors were put in place.
Dr. Cooper stepped back as the chief physician came in to take over treatment. The whole procedure was to remain strictly confidential. Shivering, he watched as the men huddled over Mike, hoping that all his efforts were not for nothing.
As the monitors were hooked up to Mike,a very faint brain wave was beginning to register on the EEG machine.
Jeanie arrived at the clinic just in time to hear the good news. Although she had not fully recovered from the shock, she was feeling more herself. Dr. Cooper was the first to notice her as she entered the room. He helped her to a chair where she would be able to see the procedures as they tried to diagnose the janitor's condition. After taking her vital signs, he knelt down beside her and in his most reassuring tone of voice told her all that he knew at that time.
"Dr. Horton has just discovered Mike still has a chance. They are doing everything they can for him. Why don't you stay for a minute, then head on down to the emergency crew's overnight dorm? You really need some rest, young lady! You've been a great help today! This has been quite a shock for you. I can tell you were quite taken with that young man; it's understandable. Now please, do as I say. You need the rest!"
Jeanie nodded in agreement, a tiny smile bringing a slight blush to her pale cheeks.
As Dr. Cooper turned his attention back toward the bedside, he saw Dr. Horton was now holding a long needle filled with adrenaline, readying it for application. The supervisor patted Jeanie's shoulder and rushed to join his colleague. Horton raised the needle, and with the experience gained from years of practice, shoved it with enough force to penetrate Mike's bare chest. But suddenly, Mike's chest was no longer there!