Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center (16 page)

As Governor Raccine paused for several moment
s, his gaze moved to each
hospital executive's face.  He continued, "My second reason for calling you together is not quite so
simple.  I realize this medical center
is one of the finest i
n the
world
and certainly, one of the
finest in New Orleans
…
”

Alex could feel her skin begin to prickle up like something bad was coming.  ‘
One
of the finest’ was an indicator.

The governor continued, “
I can't tell you how dismayed I am that things are so unsettled.  There's nothing that you could've done to prevent these tragedies
or curse, or whatever it is.  I'm confid
e
nt you'll be able to recover from
the damage that has been caused by these events."

Alex thought a big one's coming here.  She hastily glanced at her colleagues and noticed the Governor had their rapt attention, except for Don.  He was smiling, probably still basking in the "caring expertis
e of the staff and best medical center
in the world
,
" line and didn't have a clue
of what was coming.  Alex could feel her heartbeat picking up, and felt a little short of breath.  She glanced at Robert, whose eye
s met hers.  He knows something’s wrong too,
she thought.

The Governor continued.  "In the meantime, I've received some distressing news from my Secretary of Tourism.  Two major conventions scheduled h
ere canceled their reservations because they consider the city
‘
cursed
’
and
many hotels are reporting cancellations, up to sixty percent f
or this weeke
nd.  The reasons are clearly and
directly related to the voodoo curse again
st Crescent City Medical Cente
r that has been headline news
o
n
every national and
cable
television
news program
in the country as well as
in
the print media.
"

Don replied, "This is ridiculous
…
the curse is ridiculous.  CCMC's not to blame for this."

"Mr. Montgomery, I must remind you
again that it is
the disaster here at CCMC that has made national news.  Media attention has been directed at the hospital and at New Orleans in general.  Did you know that my personal tragedy is colorfully detailed on the front cover of
People
magazine
this week
?
  There is even a picture of Grace
u
nconscious
in her hospital bed
with that horrible look on her face!
"  The Governor sur
veyed the group around him
noting the incredulous looks of everyone around the table.
  Everyone was shocked
at
his announcement. 
The Governor, trembling with either rage or anxiety repeated his announcement. 
"Yes, CCMC's on the front cover of
People
and a very graphic and detailed description of what happened to Grace at this hospital is the lead story in the issue that's to be released at noon today."  

No one in the room
responded
.
No one knew what to say.

"I detest this kind o
f publicity for many reasons
…a
major
reason
being the revenues we count on to ru
n the
state that comes
from tourism.  You all know that we are just now beginning to recover from Katrina, both financially and from an image standpoint.  Everyone still remembers the horrors that occurred during the storm at the
Superdome.  The reputation of New Orleans has been, shall we say, in the gutter, for years since Katrina.  Now it is happening again.
 
Consequently, I believe that the events surrounding the hospital are causing the city
an additional image problem
and drastically affecting tourist revenues.  I want you to close Crescent City Medical Center for an undetermined length of time, at least for the next few weeks, so that we can begin to rebuild our tourist industry, which is the bread and butter of this state."

The silence in the room was deafening.  Each person was weighing the implications of closing the hospital.

Dr. Ashley spoke first.  "
Governor,
Isn't there another way?  We've a number of patients awaiting transplants
…
we have surgeries scheduled.  We have loyal patients who'd be uncomfortable going to other hospitals."

The Governor looked a
t the physician and replied in a quiet
voice
.
"I'm aware of what you’re
saying
,
and I
'm aware
that you have many international patients.  These people can be treat
ed at Tulane,
Ocher
or Jefferson.  I'm sure your physicians
wi
ll be willing to send patients to those facilities.  I'm sure we can direct most of your nursing staff to those agencies.  I see this measure as short term.  Your patients will see the same staff,
hopefully, and
only the location will be different."

Don interjected in a calm voice,
"I
simply can't close this medical center
.  I need to talk to our trustees and move in the direction that they suggest.  If we close our doors, it's doubtful we'll ever recuperate financially, or recover public confidence. 
I
t
would take us months, maybe years to
reopen considering the bureaucratic red tape we could encounter
. 
Closing would be admitting defeat. It would cost hundreds of employees their jobs and incomes.  I can't
and I will not make
such an arbitrary decision."  Don's voice was firm.

"Gather the board and tell them what I've proposed.  I'll contact each of them as well.  There's no other way to do things differently.  I understand that war powder was a part of the last incident.  Because of this, I'm not convinced that the trouble has ended here for Crescent City.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience this causes you." 

Alex finally spoke.  "
Can we talk about this a little further?
”

The governor nodded and Alex continued “
There're several things that come to mind.  First of all, isn't it possible
that
the troubl
e is
over?   Isn't it likely all this'll blow over in a few days?  As soon as there's something else for the media to jump on, they'll forget we ever had a black magic scare here at CCMC."

Governor Raccine shook his head negatively and responded,
"Alex, I can't answer that question, since I've no idea what the future will bring.  I can't predict national or local events.  Sure, if some national agenda demands attention, then New Orleans and the voodoo war won't be featured on the national
news
in every town in America.  We don't have that guarantee.
Remember, it was just yesterday that the voodoos declared war on CCMC.  Whoever is behind it has an ax to grind and I, for one, don’t think it’s over. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the city.
  You had another question?"

"Closing the hospita
l gives strength
to the people responsible for the
scare.
It’s a victory for them.
At the risk of sounding impertinent, Governor Raccine, would you have closed the courthouse if it had been shot up by a group of voodooists
, or terrorists
?   If we bend to this kind of pressure and fear, what'll these people do next?
”
   Alex finished, expecting to be chastised by Governor Raccine.

After a considerable silence, Raccine responded
, “
Ms. Destephano, your points are well taken. 
In my mind, the
voodooists
are terrorists, they are just homegrown.
However, the gravity of the crimes that have been committed here are considerable.  People come to hospitals expecting a safe environment
, to feel better, to be free of pain and mental stress
.
  At this point, CCMC cannot guarantee these thing
s
and it is more likely that others will be hurt.
"

Alex persisted,
"We've stepped up our security.  The police are cooperating
,
and you offered us access to the state police.  We accept."

Governor Raccine pondered Alex's words.

She continued,
"The Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms are
involved
already
.  They'll be providing additional security, too.
”

Governor Raccine thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I get your point.  Nevertheless, much of what you say is true.  We don't want to suggest that voodoo has this kind of power in New Orleans.  In view of your argument, I'll issue a five-day reprieve until Sunday, unless there's further evidence of cult-related violence. 
If there is, you will close your doors immediately, just as soon as patients can be transferred to others health care centers.
”

A feeling of relief flooded the room.

Raccine continued, "Be advised that I kno
w CCMC operates
as a private hospital and I'm a
ware that
your charter is unique
,
but y
ou can easily be closed, either by me, or by a vote from the state legislature.  Mr. Renou will coordinate the State Police investigators and security."

"Thanks, G
overnor.  We appreciate your help," Dr. Bonnet said.

The governor nodded.  "There's one more thing.  With Dr. Bonnet's agreement, I'll be transferring Mrs. Raccine to East Jefferson Medical Center.  Thank you for your time."  The governor immediately left the board Room with Andre Renou on his heels.

Dr. Ashley looked at Alex and said, "Well, you pulled us out for a while.  Hope our trouble's over
and things settle down
.   He'll close us down if anything else happens."

Don exploded.  "
The SOB
doesn't have the power to close us down.  It's incredible that he even considered it
!
"

"
Shut-up Don
!
Get a grip and sit the hell
down," Robert said. "He's the governor and his party's in power.  He can do any
damn
thing he wants.  Don't forget that forty percent of our patient base is indigent
care, and indigent
care is completely funded by the State. 
With Charity being destroyed in Katrina, t
his hospital will be in the red in two weeks without state revenues."

Donald Montgomery said
, “
Shit, that forty percent is only about twenty-seven percent of our gross revenues.  This thing's political.  Something we don't know has caused this.  He's getting pressure from somewhere.  Maybe someone agreed to take the curse off his wife or something.  I've never heard of a governor attempting to close a hospital.  It's ludicrous
!
"  Don quieted down for a moment,
and then
continued
. 
“
Besides, it p
robably won't make a damn bit of difference anyway.  Our inpatient census
has dropped again
.
We're losing thousands and thousands
each day.  We'll be bankrupt in three weeks if this keeps up." 

Elizabeth stood up.  "I've heard enough of this.  Let's
be positive and
focus on security, safety, and the media.   Thanks to Alex we have five days to clear this up.  Let's use our time to work together productively." 

Alex took the cue and spoke.
"Elizabeth's right.  I'll be glad to work with the State Police, along with our director of security.  John, can you talk with the doctors?   I'll ask Monique Desmonde to w
ork on nursing security with me since
Bette Farve leaves today
to go on vacation
."  Alex stopped for a moment and looked at Don.  "What do you think of this plan?   You should have Latetia schedule a meeting of the board as soon as possible to tell them the governor's concerns." 

"Do what you want to.  Damn
People
magazine.  That's what he's pissed about.  I'm calling a head hunter so I can get out of this crazy
, fucking, Voodoo
town
!
"  Don threw up his hands and left the room.