Diane and Donna decided to take Douglas Jr.'s car to Washington, D.C., during the weekend.
The two girls, whose families were not wealthy when they were young, did not go to the nation's capital to visit iconic buildings such as the White House and Capitol Hill like other middle school students.
While chatting, both of them suddenly had the idea to make up for their regrets. It happened that Douglas Jr. was going to Washington, D.C., to talk to George Jr. about election fundraising.
The two best friends took the opportunity to come over. Because of George's relationship, they enjoyed the treatment of being acquaintances of the deputy commander and had someone accompany them to play.
"Are these people visiting tourists? Why are they all carrying a small bag?" The two girls saw more and more people gathering at the entrance of the Capitol Hill, gathering in front of the Capitol Hill, and then moving toward the fallen Walk in the direction of the Soldiers' Monument.
"They came to attend a rally. Such rallies happen every now and then, but this one is bigger..." The congressional assistant explained with a smile that the scale of this rally was quite large, with perhaps thousands to tens of thousands of people. .
"What's wrong with you? You seem to be absent-minded." Donna touched Diane's shoulder. Her good friend was not at all happy about fulfilling her childhood wish today.
"Hey, does it matter if Ronnie does?" Diane was still worried about Ronald's situation in New York. He never gets sick very often, but this time he postponed work and rested at home, which seemed to be quite serious.
"He said it was okay. You are so concerned about him now, but you don't know who he is with in New York..." Donna looked at Diane's face and did not continue.
"It's okay..." Diane didn't want to continue this topic. She continued to walk forward. When the two were about to enter Capitol Hill, Diane suddenly called out,
"What is that?" I saw the rallies outside the Capitol, as if they had made an appointment. One by one, they took out colorful cloths the size of large towels from their small bags and raised them above their heads.
There were cloth strips of various kinds of fabrics, and they seemed to have words embroidered on them. These people started to hold up the cloth strips, and after gathering thirty of them, they set off towards the Memorial to the Fallen Soldiers, and then new people gathered.
"A protest sign, right? Oh, no." Donna covered the sun with her hands and looked into the distance.
"No, it seems to be a person's name." The two of them were more interested in this kind of large gathering than in ancient buildings, so they said hello to the congressional assistant and walked towards the crowd.
"Are they family members of veterans?" Diane came closer and felt that these people had sadness on their faces, which was not the usual angry expression of protestors at all.
There were young people holding the banners and crying, and there were also elderly parents holding the banners as high as possible so that more people could see their children's names written on them.
Diane and Donna couldn't help but walk forward with these people, and arrived at the large grassy square in front of the Memorial Monument. There were more people here.
Some staff guided those people to a place where there were many sewing machines. They sewed together the large and small pieces of cloth with names written in different fonts in the hands of those people. A group of thirty people's names was sewn into a large piece.
"Bruce Hellas...David Hertz..." In front of the white monument, there was a stage on which someone installed a large speaker and began to read the names on the unfolded and sewn cloth.
Diane and Donna looked at each other. Although this form of rally was invented by those who opposed the Vietnam War, today's ceremony was obviously not about veterans.
Such a ceremony is carried out in constant silence. Except for the host who reads out the names of the deceased on each unfolded piece of cloth, there are only the low sobs of relatives and friends in the audience.
"How many more people have to die before this government wakes up?" Finally, an angry woman rushed to the podium, grabbed the microphone, and began to condemn the inaction of the White House and Congress.
"We need AZt, the White House and CDC, more research funding, more research institutes and new drugs..." Diane and Donna, two girls, understood.
This gathering is for the families of patients who died from AIDS. On each piece of cloth is the name of a person who died due to AIDS. Their close relatives and friends take this opportunity to commemorate.
Many people cried very sadly. This disease is always considered to be the result of moral corruption, but the thousands of people who died at the scene all had relatives, friends, family members, and children who mourned for them.
In a place like this, you can no longer label them as immoral and condemned by God. …
"Ah...ah..." Ronald moaned softly on the big bed at home. One night later, instead of getting better, his flu became more serious.
He knew that he had a serious fever, but he was so weak that he couldn't even get up and boil a pot of hot black tea and brew ginger slices.
"Ring, ring, ring..." The phone was still ringing, but in Ronald's ears, there seemed to be a layer of sound behind him, and the sound was silent, as if it was coming from a far away place.
"Well..." Ronald finally reached over and pressed the hands-free button.
"Ronald, you finally answered the phone. There's a big problem with the crew, and Weintraub and Michelle Cannold can't find you." It was Richard on the phone.
"What's the big deal?" Ronald's nose was blocked and his words were buzzing.
"James Crabbe, the director of photography for The Kid, didn't show up for a few days. When Weintraub went to his house, he found him dead at home."
"Hey..." When Ronald heard this, he felt anxious and sweated profusely. His body actually felt a little better. He sat up from the bed.
"What's going on? What's the reason?"
"The hospital's preliminary conclusion is that it is complications caused by AIdS... Did you shake hands or hug him at the project establishment party that day? I contacted the best private hospitals in New York and Los Angeles. You need to get a test immediately... "
"Shxt, I just shook hands with him. I'm not..., let alone shaking hands and hugging, kissing is not contagious." Ronald wondered why he had to find another photographer when encountering such an unlucky thing. guide.
"Don't take it lightly. The crew is in panic now. Everyone who has been in close contact with him is queuing up at the hospital for examination. I'm looking for the best hospital in New York. You can draw blood once and it will be available in three days." Preliminary results are out..."
"You're overthinking it. Tell Weintraub that we'll wait until I get back. He'll find a new photographer to replace him first... um... cough..."
"What's wrong with you? I seem to hear you coughing. Ronald, do you have any cold symptoms? I'll go to Los Angeles to find you right away..."
"Bang...", an annoyed Ronald hung up the phone. I pay attention to safety measures every time, okay, this guy...
"Uh...cough..." Ronald, who exerted too much force, coughed again. Shaking, he got out of bed, went to the bathroom and took a hot bath, then climbed back into bed and went back to sleep.
…
"Rick, does your client Ronald have a different orientation? How come it is such a coincidence that James Crabbe died and he stopped showing up? I heard that when this virus is infected, there will be a lot of people. Severe cold-like symptoms." The agents within CAA began to gossip about Niceta and Richard.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Everyone knows that Ronald likes beautiful women. Is it because your clients can't get girlfriends of Ronald's level, so they ask you to come here and learn how to bark like a dog?" Niceta hit back hard at these colleagues. .
"I'm afraid I can't go to New York with you. There's a big fuss over James Crabb's death from AIDS. Someone is deliberately spreading rumors about Ronald. Now Kelly McGillis and Annette Bening are calling, Inquiring about Ronald's condition. Cindy Crawford also came to me through her agent to get information. The most outrageous thing, even fucking Madonna called me... When did Ronald and Does she have legs?"
"I will definitely ask Ronald to go to the hospital in the past, so that all rumors can be quelled." Richard picked up the briefcase and prepared to set off.
These female celebrities are probably afraid that they will be infected.
"Explain to Ronald that this is mainly because someone is spreading rumors about him, so you need to explain as quickly as possible. He understands."... Sure enough, someone intentionally spread rumors, and this time Ronald is suspected of being infected. The super virus spread very quickly.
Even Helen Slater in Toronto, Canada received an anonymous phone call breaking the news. Helen greeted director Cameron Crowe and ran to the hotel to make an international long distance call to Ronald.
"I received an anonymous call about you, but don't worry, AZt can now control the condition very well. Ryan White's original doctor said he could only live for six months, but he is already alive after taking the medicine. It’s been more than four years, and I still appear on talk shows frequently.”
"What are you talking about? Who is Ryan White? Ahem..." Ronald was woken up, his head was still groggy, and he couldn't understand what Helen meant.
Helen heard on the phone that Ronald seemed to be very ill. She couldn't help it and burst into tears.
"I...I mean...Ronald, I'm very worried about you...I'll take leave to go back to see you and accompany you to the hospital for a checkup. This virus is very serious. But medicine is developing very quickly now, so don't worry... ” She was afraid that Ronald would hear her crying, so she quickly covered the receiver.
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's just the flu. I'm very sleepy and want to go to bed. Don't ask for leave, the movie is important..." Ronald felt groggy and hung up the phone. He felt a chill again and quickly put it down. Wrapped in quilt.
"Who are you? Why are you saying this to me?" Cameron Crowe also received an anonymous call over there. He asked who the other party was, but only heard the sound after hanging up.
…
"It turns out that this disease is not completely caused by people with abnormal orientation?" Diane and Donna watched the rally for a long time, and there were volunteers distributing various popular science pamphlets to bystanders.
Neither the CDC nor the White House is willing to acknowledge the severity of the AIDS epidemic, so they are left alone to promote society's awareness of the disease.
The booklet is told from the perspective of a boy named Ryan White. He is a hemophiliac who contracted a virus during a blood transfusion. Because the school did not allow him to continue attending school, he chose to go to court and returned to school after winning.
He talked about a lot of the discrimination he suffered because of this disease, and explained the origin of the virus.
Finally, I call on everyone not to discriminate against patients, and please support calling on the White House and Congress to speed up the CDC’s approval of the use of the effective drug AZt, as well as investment in the research and development of new drugs.
Because this little boy is a victim with no moral flaws, his perspective is very convincing.
Many people are beginning to agree that not all of these patients deserve this, and that pathology and drug treatment must be studied as soon as possible, otherwise this will become a problem for the whole society.
Diane read some popular science and knew that simple insurance measures can basically prevent infection. Two best friends went away for the day today, ordered takeout, went into the hotel, and started having dinner.
"CDC Director Fauci said that the first death from influenza this year was a Wisconsin woman. She and her husband visited a local pig fair and died. Afterwards, tests showed that the influenza was of the h1N1 type. Fauci called on everyone to get vaccinated. , which can significantly reduce risks..."
"Huh?" Diane looked at NBC News and thought of Ronald,
"Do you think Ronald will be fine? This flu seems to be very serious..."
"Call him and ask..." Donna thought it wasn't that serious.
"Dududu..." Diane put down the phone and called three times in a row, but Ronald didn't answer the phone.
Her heart began to hang...
"No, Donna, I can't accompany you anymore, I have to go back and take a look..." Diane began to pack her clothes.
"Okay, I'll call Doug and we'll go back together." Donna suspected that Ronald might not have heard the call.
But I'm afraid of what might happen.
"When you get to New York, call me back..." Little Doug quickly got a vehicle with a driver and sent them back overnight.
"I know, take care of yourself..." Donna kissed little Douglas on the face and called out to Diane who was still watching TV.
"Diane..."
"The third presidential debate will be held tomorrow. There is news that Governor Dukakis may have been infected with the latest influenza, but the campaign team refused to comment on this and stated that there are no rumors that can affect Dukakis. Attendance." Diane became more and more panicked and ran outside to get in the car without saying hello to Douglas.
…
"Dongdongdong..." Dai An was slamming the door vigorously,
"Ronald, are you there?" It was already past 11 o'clock in the evening. After more than four hours of driving, Diane and Donna, who had just returned to the house on Fifth Avenue, came to Ronald's house under the leadership of the housekeeper. house door.
"I am his relative. Open the door and let's take a look. Ronald may be sick..." Donna took out her driver's license and showed it to the housekeeper. After the other party checked the name of the emergency contact that Ronald left, Take out the spare key and open the door.
"Ronald..." Diane ran into the bedroom. Under the messy quilt, half of Ronald's head was exposed, and his head was covered with sweat.
"Ah..." Ronald was woken up by the dazzling light, looking at Diane with caring eyes and Donna behind him,
"Why are you here?" Ronald, who had been hungry all day without drinking hot water, regained some strength while drinking the hot ginger black tea made by Diane and eating the pizza she ordered.
Ronald's thermometer was still quite high, but after being examined by a doctor called by Donna, he said there was no particular danger.
Ronald asked them to stay three meters away from him to prevent them from being infected by him. Say again and again that you are fine and can rest assured.
I just fell asleep and didn't hear the phone call outside. However, Diane refused to leave Ronald alone in the big house anymore and insisted on accompanying him, having someone just in case.
Ronald couldn't help it, but he agreed not to sleep in the same room and let Diane sleep in the next room, so he wouldn't have to worry if he was fine tomorrow.
To be honest, Ronald didn't want Diane to leave. In a big house where one person is sick, there is no one to boil hot water and order takeout. I feel very pitiful.
Diane didn't insist. After checking Ronald's condition, she asked Donna to go back to her apartment to sleep and come back tomorrow to change her shift.
After replenishing hot water and food and regaining some energy, Ronald finally had a good sleep and didn't wake up until dawn the next morning.
He seemed to hear Diane talking on the phone outside. Ronald, who was still a little weak, lay quietly on the bed with his eyes closed to rest.
"Hey, Mom, do you know how to cook boiled eggs? Just put them in a pot of hot milk and cook them? How long does it take to cook them? Yes, you can't be too old. He doesn't like to eat too old ones... Hmm, six Minutes and a half, right? How do you make scrambled eggs? What pan should you use? A frying pan, and add butter, two tablespoons of butter? Put the egg liquid with milk on medium-low heat, and add salt when it's almost cooked. Got it. "Dian wanted to make breakfast for Ronald early in the morning. She had never done it before, so she had to call her mother for advice.
While making long-distance calls, I cooked eggs and omelettes, which turned out to be quite good. I added some bacon and vegetables, toasted two slices of bread, and a good breakfast was ready.
"Dingdong...Dingdong..."
"Here it comes..." Diane knew that it was Donna who was coming to take over.
"Diane, what did you cook? Well, it tastes very good. The omelette needs to be flipped a few more times, and the doneness is just right. You can add more pepper. Ronald likes it. It is also good for the flu." Open the door. In addition to Donna, there was also Aunt Karen. She came to see Ronald with a large pot of chicken soup that she had cooked early in the morning.
I glanced at the breakfast in the kitchen, checked it out and was very satisfied, and then taught me a few of Ronald's favorite recipes.
"Diane, are you there? I want to drink some hot water..." Ronald gathered his strength and opened the curtains. The sun shone in and made him feel comfortable, so he called out to Diane to give him some water.
"Chicken soup is good for colds..." Aunt Karen scooped a bowl of chicken soup for Diane and motioned for her to take it in with her breakfast.
Then she smiled and walked away with Donna.
"Dang, room service..." Diane was holding a large tray, with the smell of bacon, fried eggs, and chicken soup on it, which made Ronald stunned for a moment.
Ronald always prepared breakfast for the lady on the morning after the clouds and rain. Among so many women he had relationships with, Diane was the first to make breakfast for him.
The warm chicken soup flowed into his stomach, as well as the delicious scrambled eggs with pepper. Ronald tasted it very much, and it seemed to be similar to Aunt Karen.
"Do you want some more?" Diane saw that Ronald was enjoying his meal. Ronald shook his head to indicate that he was full.
"Then you have a good rest. I'm right here. If you need anything, just call me." Diane turned on the TV for Ronald, then put a pillow for him and went out first with the tableware.
"The Dukakis campaign said the governor is determined to attend the evening debate..."
"CDC Director Fauci said that he heard the appeals of AIDS victims in Washington yesterday. More funds and resources, as well as top researchers, need to be invested before we can hope to discover new treatments..." Ronald took it I turned down the remote control, turned down the sound, and fell asleep, finding a more comfortable position.
Ronald seemed to smell the faint fragrance of chicken soup in his nose, and Diane's smell was that of a housewife who was busy in the kitchen.
Ronald looked at the white roof and remained motionless. The sun shone on his body, making his body warm.
It feels really good to have someone you love taking care of you.
