Truth is stranger than fiction. There are no names or places mentioned. I did not copy any other works.
***
Like most people these days, I'm subject to a random drug screening. It's annoying. It doesn't bother me much. I "put away childish things" long ago. Sometimes they make me wait three hours in case I'm cheating.
My number came up last year. I had to get tested the next day. I arranged for a fill in person. No big deal.
The next morning, I went to the corporate office and picked up the test kit. We have a doctor's office nearby, under contract to handle the details. As I drove to that office, I remembered the previous time. The nurse had broken the procedures and protocols several different ways. She had broken the chain of custody by taking the sample out of my sight and packaging it. I shouldn't have signed the release. Since I don't use anything illegal, I signed anyway.
When I got to the doctor's office, only two cars were in the staff parking area. There were no cars in the patient parking area. I went inside carrying the test kit. The receptionist was sitting in the floor. Stacks of patient files were all around her. "The doctor is out of town." She said without looking up.
"I'm just here for a drug screen." I said and gave her my company name.
"Oh yes, they called. It will be just a minute."
"What are you doing in the floor?" I asked.