The Dreaded Dentist

          The bell on the door tinkled as I stepped into the office. A familiar smell reached my nose. A mixture of cleanliness and medicine wafted through the air. I had arrived at the dentist's office. After signing my name on the clipboard, I went to sit in the waiting room. The room looked like a tornado had just passed through. Magazines were scattered in all directions. Toys for young children were lying here and there, and amidst all of this chaos were ten chairs. I was in luck–there was one open. I eased myself onto the chair and prepared to wait. I took out my trusty book, cracked it open to the page I was on and began reading.
          A little while later, I heard the door to the examination rooms open. Out popped a small mouse-like woman.
          "Ariel?" she called.
         I slowly got up and walked toward her. I felt as if I was walking to my death.
         "In here," she said, gesturing to an open room.
         I sat in the pink dentist's chair and gazed at all of the shiny equipment. The drill caught my eye and I hoped it would not be used on me. The room was as cold as a freezer. After an eternity, the dentist came in and flashed his pearly whites in a smile. A shiver ran down my spine.
         "Hello," he said, as he sat down next to me.
I opened my mouth so he could look in. I could feel him poking at my teeth with his silver tool of death and hear him murmuring to himself. I waited with bated breath for the diagnosis. Finally I heard him say, in his gravelly voice, "Well, I'm glad to say you only have one cavity and it's not that serious. Would you like me to fix it now or do you want to schedule another appointment?"
         What a choice, it was like asking whether I would like to walk on hot coals now or if I would like to swim with a few sharks later. I decided to get it over with now so I would not have to dread coming back to this dungeon.
          "Now, I guess," I answered.
          The dentist stooped over me, and the next thing I knew I was waking up from a deep sleep.
          "How do you feel?" the dentist asked me.
          "Wow, that wasn't too bad."
         "You had nothing to worry about," he said smiling, "you're all set to go. Hope to see you soon."
          What did that mean? I wondered as I walked out of the office. I glanced back at the dentist and saw him chuckling.