Annie Willows has worked at Mercy Hospital for thirty seven years as the head nurse. She never drank, smoked or ate junk food a day since she worked there. She actually could be a very attractive woman if she used facial expressions other than her pompous, self-righteousness smile. Her nursing overalls being two sizes too large doesn't either.

Some might wonder what joy a woman such as Annie could possibly have in life being as uptight as she is, surprisingly the answer is simple, she has a love affair with obedience. Mike Wells, Chief of Staff, a distinguished man of forty five, is and always has been the thorn in Annie's side, ever since he was transferred from a prestigious University hospital twelve years ago. The last Chief of Staff was an elderly man and Annie had broken him down and set her policy as law, Annie had no intention of letting "Michael" tell her how to run her hospital.

Seven long years Annie fought the fight and was an obnoxious and mean as she could be to the nursing staff trying to scream and belittle them into following her instructions and not Michael's. Then one day, everything got worse and she snapped and nearly retired when a new nurse showed up on the scene.

Angela Rose, was and always will be an angel. Beautiful, plump body adorable-dimpled smile and silky, long red hair. She was Annie's worst nightmare! All the other nurses loved her immediately, they were so in love with her they even forgot Annie even existed. That's how the Beast inside the dull dark-haired woman was reawakened.

A thirty five year old ex football star and town hero was coming out of a very grueling surgery and like a ghost Annie appeared out of nowhere and closed the curtains surrounding them and grabbed a probe from the wall, "Sir, I am going to need you to turn over and have a look at your bottom for a minute!"

Not paying attention to what Annie was holding, the ex athlete scoffed back at her, "I don't need any shots for pain, I am tougher than any dude you will ever meet."

Annie glared with a flash an anger and pointed the probe up directly into the man's field of vision and he laughed uncontrollably, "Yeah, that's really gonna happen. Listen, here, angry old lady, I don't care if you are a spinster and your cats lets you do it to them, you aren't going anywhere near my ass with or without that thing!"

Annie enjoyed the feeling of being angry and let her voice respond in a hauntingly, chillingly soothing manner, "Son, you had a long, traumatic surgery. Your body was and still is at significant risk of hypothermic complications..." The man clapped his hand loud twice and then gave her both middle fingers. In a huff, Annie disappeared behind the curtain and stormed towards the nurses station, waving her chart, "Anyone plan on working today or are we all on a neverending break?"

Angela beautiful face winced in pain, "I am so sorry, it's my fault, honestly, all the nurses are trying to help learn the ropes, I would love to learn from the best though. I heard you are one of the most experienced nurses this hospital has ever had."

The quiet snickers of the other nurses only infuriated Annie further, "Oh, so the new girl wants to know if she has what it takes..." With great swiftness and anger Annie grabbed Angela by the hand and led her behind the curtain to meet her former football champion patient, "Ok, look at his chart, what is the first thing you need to do?"

Angela blushed as the large muscular man looked her up and down with curiosity, "First, I need to see if his vitals are stable?"

Annie scowled, "Are you asking or telling me?"

"Ummm... I mean I wouldn't want to assume, I wanted to make sure because you know so much more than.."

Annie said, "That doesn't sound like you know anything, little miss, you either know what to do or don't. So do it." Angela on the verge of tears gently put the blue probe in between her fingers. "What do you think you are doing, did you even look at the chart. Significant risk of hypothermia due to surgery and you think an oral thermometer will do the job????"

Angela covered her mouth and ran from the curtained area directly into Mike Wells, "Angela, sweetheart, what's going on and why are you so upset?"

Angela wiped her wet red face, "I am so sorry I messed up on my first patient and I am just embarrassed."

Mike Wells burrowed his eyebrows, "It can't be that bad, you didn't kill anybody yet, right?"

Angela tried to giggle knowing that his what Mike wanted, but she just let out a weak whimper, "I upset our head nurse already and..."

Mike laughed, "Say no more. Let me tell you something about Annie. She is a competent nurse and I would trust her advice in a life or death situation a thousand percent any day and every day. That being said, in every day matters she is a monster to deal with. My two cents is agree with her when you have to and use your best judgment and I will back you up, sound fair?" Angela silently wept and leaned into Mike as he rubbed her shoulders.

Angela walked back and opened the curtain as she heard arguing between the large man and Annie as she waved the red probe in anger, "Oh Little Miss is back."

Angela pursed her lips, "Miss Willows, I am so sorry for my outburst and embarrassing you, myself, my hospital and most importantly my patient. If you need to talk to me in private and let me know how I can act and do better, I would love to hear your suggestions."

Annie's demeanor remained relatively stable except for a microscopic tremor to her already unnerving smile and she once again grabbed Angela by the arm and lead her into a secluded corner. "If you really want to be a nurse and prove you belong at this hospital, you need to act like a nurse and not some upset little girl who abandons her patients. That man you left is a big stubborn ox who doesn't understand the importance of his care, it is your job to make him understand. I don't want you to leave that curtained cubicle until that man is turned over on his stomach with a thermometer in his behind, even if it takes you the rest of your shift."

Angela smiled nervously but also with a new annoted confidence, "You can count on me!"