THE DENTIST - IN PAINS

Anthony Osagie, a middle aged government clerk walked into a dental clinic. His scanty bald hair was neatly combed and beards unkempt, supporting his left jaw with both hands. Sitting at the waiting room was an old nurse, looking into a mirror, in front was a desk with cotton wool rolls, hand gloves, a tray with drugs, bottles and injection syringes arranged anyhow on the table.

NEXT.......NEXT.......A voice kept calling from the consulting room, Dr. Sidney, who was his dentist as well as an old friend was sitting on an armless chair, rotating from side to side and looking into a case file.

"I have come to seek attention for this tooth. For two nights my eyes have not known sleep" pulling out some medications from his pocket, "These drugs are of no good......My whole being is in turmoil"

After examining him and asking a few questions about the pain, the dentist went slowly to the treatment room to prepare his Dental chair.

"you have a bad tooth ..... I will extract it"

"It will cost ₦3500 , please look at the wall for the price of Extraction, its over there" pointing at the left corner of the treatment room.

Anthony hurriedly scanned through the price list pasted on the wall,........"POLISHING ₦4500, Tooth Extraction ₦3500 "

"Listen Friend", Anthony continued "one more question there is something I must ask you, I am not pulling out all my teeth, Just one tooth I beg of you?"

"Such question leads to nothing, I am ready to answer as many as you like the price remains ₦3500". The Dentist answered walking towards the door...

"A government clerk receives far less than any public worker, the minimum wage is just ₦5000, a large portion of (3500) spent on one tooth...Anthony deeps his hand into his pockets arranges his notes together to pay for treatment.

The clinic was busy, with patients who were not friends of the Dentist and whose social position precluded them from receiving prompt attention waited outside in a long queue. Anthony occupied the vacant Dental chair, lost in thoughts..

"Money or Life which is the source of happiness, without money a mere toothache is enough to shatter ones happiness"

He imagined what would happen if he could not afford the cost of treatment. "Well this dentist will keep me here, I will turn into a hospital property, what a monetary disgrace....."the dentist walked back to the treatment room wearing a face mask, behind was the old nurse holding a tray of instrument, on it was hand gloves, drugs, needles and syringes.

"Open your mouth please", The dentist opened a small bottle from the tray, loading his needle

"I shall give you a shot of LIDOCAINE, you will feel no pain after this...open please...open.... Do you feel any pain?


"None for now"- Anthony mentally pictured the havoc those instruments were capable of doing. He frequented the dentist for similar procedure, the last visit was for his carious wisdom tooth, drilled out in pieces like a broken furniture, his concerns that this procedure will meet the same fate, his feet started jerking from fear......

"Sir, are you in Pains?
Anthony not talking, nods his head up and down. The dentist figured out a YES and gave him the last portion of LIDOCAINE.

Anthony continued his illusion in search of happiness........."Money is much more treasured to life, if one is not happy, Money can buy happiness, visit the refreshment bar, with two glasses of wine, on my way home I will be happy........but wait.....This greedy dentist makes a fortune from peoples agony--Toothache, he has my money there goes my happiness".........Anthony is visible frightened and fidgets on the dental chair .....

Are you in pains? the doctor asked a second time.......Anthony made no sigh in return, judging from his uncertain movements, from the expression of pain on his face he wanted to say something, but the words did not come only drops of perspiration rolled down his bald head. The Dentist whispered to the nurse, Anthony gets another shot of LIDOCAINE.