We’re outside of DEFMed. Christie Zane stands beside Iris Davine, microphone in hand.

Christie Zane:
I’m here with DEFIANCE’s Head of Medical, doctor Iris Davine. Iris, we’ve heard wild rumors surrounding the status of Henry Keyes after he was viciously assaulted by Corvo Alpha at DEFRoad. All we know for sure is that these injuries were, and I quote, “numerous”. I understand that you are ready to announce his full status, is that correct?

Iris Davine:
Thank you, Christie - you are correct. Let me start with some good news - Henry Keyes was responsive when we took him back after the incident at DEFRoad…he even cracked some sort of joke about falling from an airship being less dangerous, or something to that effect - he wasn’t the most coherent. It took a significant amount of evaluation, and an outside consultation, but we can confirm he suffered the following injuries:

Iris lifts a clipboard into reading position.

Iris Davine:
Detached left retina…orbital fracture…separated shoulder…two cracked ribs…neck sprain…herniated cervical disc…and a moderate concussion.

Christie Zane is taken aback for a moment.

Christie Zane:
That’s…a LOT of injuries. What does the recovery time look like for that many injuries? Have we seen the last of Henry Keyes in a wrestling ring?

Iris Davine:
I can’t speak to Henry’s future in wrestling at this stage. As far as recovery…I mentioned a moment ago that we had an outside consultant assist with his evaluation, and he, well. He’s here now. I’ll let him speak on this further.

The camera pans slightly to the right as a Plague Doctor approaches. Unlike just about every other Plague Doctor we have previously seen, this one wears a white lab coat, a stethoscope around his neck, and a head mirror. 

Christie Zane:
Yes, let’s hear from…I’m sorry, how should I address you?

Dr. Plague Doctor:
Yes, hello, you can call me Dr. Plague Doctor. I am Henry Keyes’s primary care physician. I came to assist Dr. Davine right away - it is my duty, and in fact my legal obligation, to take the lead on all decisions related to the medical care and treatment of Henry Keyes.

Christie is bewildered at the appearance of this man who speaks with a hint of a Dutch accent, but presses on.

Christie Zane:
Ok then, Doctor Plague…Doctor. I suppose I will ask you the same questions - have we seen the last of Henry Keyes in a wrestling ring, and what is his recovery plan?

Dr. Plague Doctor
Henry Keyes will wrestle again if it is in his desire to do so. I have known Mr. Keyes for several years at this point, and I can assure you that there are few things that you can convince Henry to do, or NOT do, if his mind is set on something. As far as when? Well…these things are complicated. We’re healing many parts of his body at once, you see. The timetable, it is fuzzy, but I can attest that there are resources and treatments at my disposal that fall somewhat outside of the capabilities of this DEFPlex facility, let’s put it that way. They will expedite the healing processes, though I cannot yet announce a formal timeline.

Christie Zane:
Henry Keyes isn’t receiving treatment here at DEFMed?

Iris Davine looks a little annoyed at the answer she already knows to this question, though Dr. Plague Doctor is oblivious.

Dr. Plague Doctor:
Make no mistakes! Dr. Davine does wonderful work here. It’s just, with the variety and magnitude of injuries we face here, and with the personal medical history I know first-hand as Mr. Keyes’s private physician, there are…ALTERNATIVE…treatments that I must legally insist upon pursuing.

Iris Davine:
What do these alternative treatments look like? Absinthe tanks? Serums?

Dr. Plague Doctor:
No serums, absolutely not. He will be treated on the airship. Messages of all kinds assist with this type of healing, so I will now take this opportunity to say my “hello” greetings to the wrestlers of DEFIANCE, and to say that if you are a friend to Mr. Keyes, you have permissions to visit and speak to him. I must include a note that his current appearance, while it may be discomforting, is essential to his recovery process.

Iris scoffs when Dr. Plague Doctor says “essential”.

Iris Davine:
For the record, I would like to make it known that my treatment plan for Henry Keyes was perfectly reasonable and vetted by respected members of the medical community. Henry, we all love and support you here on the medical staff, please remember that if you ever watch this interview. Let it be known that myself and DEFIANCE as a whole bear no legal responsibility for whatever happens next. 

Dr. Plague Doctor:
Yes, and this is perhaps why you are a perfectly competent physician who will not be remembered by history.

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