Sunlight glimmers through the tree canopies as I descend the winding footpath to the doctor's surgery. Pausing for a moment, I close my eyes to take in the ambience of birdsong and rustling leaves; it feels good to be out of the city with all its noise and bustle. Senses reattuned, I let the path draw me deeper into the wood until the foliage parts before me to reveal my destination. The glass and pre-weathered steel of the surgery is held within an ivy embrace and guarded by a garrison of oaks. The glazed vestibule is open beckoning me inside.
With an automatic door closing behind me with a mechanical whirr, I enter a spotless reception hosting the lush foliage of a green wall on one side. The trickle of an irrigation system can be heard above the low hum of the air-conditioning. With no queue, in fact, the room is empty, I approach the young receptionist who is sitting at her desk wearing a crisp white blouse. After giving her my details, she asks me to fill out a form, which I quickly do, and she directs me towards a side room.
"Please take your clothes off and put this gown on", she said, looking me up and down, "all your clothes, please."
"Er."
"It's ok, I'll keep this room locked while you're having your appointment."
Handing me the gown, she promptly leaves with the tap-tap of her heels echoing down the corridor behind her. The gown feels like paper and has the weight of gossamer. My eyes glance around the room but it only looks back indifferently. Sighing, and keeping my back to the door, which has no lock, I take off my clothes, place them neatly on the bench, and put on the grown.
Wearing the gown, I head back to the reception. My hands hold the bottom of the gown fast as if it could betray me to the slightest air current.
Without looking up from her computer, the receptionist said, "Please go to room 3. Doctor Fisher will see you there."
Following the featureless corridor, I am drawn deeper into the building. The immaculate vinyl floor feels cool beneath my bare feet. I approach room 3 and pause at the threshold. I take a deep breath, compose myself, and knock.
"Please come in."
Opening the door, I enter a spotless room all off-grey and brilliant white with an examination table to one side. At an uncluttered desk sits Doctor Fisher working at her computer. Her feet, in conservative heels, are tucked neatly together under the desk.
Without looking up, she said, "Please sit and wait a moment."
"Yes, Madam", I said, head half bowed.
The faintest hint of a smile forms on her face, but she does not look up.
I sit down. Doctor Fisher, who is much older than me, at least in her mid-30s, is wearing a knee-length tailored dress, which suits her slim figure. Her raven-black hair is neatly tied behind her lithe back in a ponytail. Sitting at her desk, her posture is upright, her head is level, and her movements are deliberate and unhurried. I patiently wait for her perched forward on my seat as I fidget with my hands.
Ready, she pivots her chair towards me and places her feet down onto the floor in unison. With eyes as green as emeralds, she slowly looks me up and down whilst her well-manicured nails rhythmically tap her desk. Her lips form into a faint smile.
"Good", she said, at last, her tone setting the mood of the room. "Let's begin your medical."
At her own speed, Doctor Fisher performs some routine tests on me: blood pressure, eyes, ears, reflexes, etc. Her manner is kind as if I were her guest. Sitting at her computer, again unhurried, she types my latest results in. Turning in her chair to face me, her movements precise, her feet together, she said evenly, whilst holding my gaze, "Please remove your gown now." Dismissing me to carry out her instructions, she turns back to her computer and resumes typing.
Her words unequivocal, I stand up with a reflex and look around the featureless room for what I know not. An escape? Some reassurance? There is only the ticking of the clock and the tap-tap of her keyboard. Feeling as self-conscious as a teenager, I unfasten my gown with trembling hands. My heart races as if I am wavering before a precipice. Nerves give way to resignation, then surrender. Who knew such a light garment could have such weight? I let my eyes settle onto the middle distance, exhale deeply, and let the gown tumble onto the floor fulfilling her desire.
I stand there naked before her, head half bowed, afraid to meet her gaze and awaiting her instructions. She carries on typing until she is ready and then pivots in her chair to face me again. Her eyes glance down at my genitals hanging between my legs. Her expression is cryptic.
"Good. Now please go and lie on the examination table", she said as she returns to her computer again.