“You got a little startled when Spencer walked in. We’ll repeat the readings again. Take a deep breath and try to relax son,” Dr. Johnson said to Tom. The machine spewed out more paper with Tom’s heart tracings which Dr. Johnson tore off and reviewed.

“Slightly elevated heart rate but perfectly normal rhythm,” Dr. Johnson said as he placed the ECG paper into Tom’s chart.

Spencer came over to the table and began to help Dr. Johnson remove the ECG leads from Tom’s skin. Tom winced as they quickly ripped the adhesive pads from his hairy chest.

“Put your shoes and socks on and we’ll continue with the treadmill test,” Dr. Johnson said as he went over to the treadmill.

Tom climbed off the table and went and retrieved his shoes and socks. As Tom sat there about to put on his shoes and socks, he was wondering if he would have to run on the treadmill in just his underwear. “Uh, can I put my pants on now?”

“No need. The shorts are adequate,” Dr. Johnson said as Tom laced up his shoes.

Tom walked over to the treadmill wearing only his underpants, shoes and socks.

“I’ll start the treadmill at a low rate, allow you to warm up for a minute then it will automatically increase to get you to your target heart rate for ten minutes,” Dr. Johnson said as he pressed buttons on the control panel.

The treadmill began to whine and move as Tom started to jog along the moving belt. Dr. Johnson was over in the corner quietly talking with Spencer. The treadmill beeped then started to speed up.

“The speed is increasing now. Keep up with it,” Dr. Johnson instructed Tom as he ran faster and faster, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and dripping down from his armpits. Dr. Johnson and Spencer walked over and observed Tom running on the treadmill. Tom was breathing hard and beginning to sweat profusely as he ran faster and faster. He felt self conscious only wearing underwear as he ran with both of them watching him.

“Eight more minutes,” Dr. Johnson announced as he looked at his watch then leaned over and said something to Spencer. Tom couldn’t hear anything over the sound of the treadmill and his heavy breathing. Spencer walked out of the room as Dr. Johnson stood next to the treadmill holding clipboard watching Tom run. Finally, the treadmill beeped and gradually began to slow down. Out of breath, Tom climbed off the treadmill and stood on the floor leaning over with his hands on his knees. Dr. Johnson came over and placed a pulse oximeter on Tom’s finger to check his pulse and oxygen levels.

“Stand up straight now,” Dr. Johnson said as he put the stethoscope into his ears and began to listen to Tom’s heart and lungs.

“Excellent,” Dr. Johnson announced as he put the stethoscope back into his pocket then recorded his findings in Tom’s chart. “Follow me and we’ll continue next door,” Dr. Johnson said as he opened the door to the hallway. Tom was still sweaty from the treadmill test and got chilled as he walked into the cool air conditioned hallway.

Dr. Johnson led Tom into the same exam room he had been in for his initial exam several weeks ago. Spencer had setup the room for the procedures about to take place. There was a supply cart covered with a white paper sheet, the exam table with a blue absorbent covering over it and two large clear bags of IV solution hanging from a pole. Spencer closed the door as they entered.

“Uhh, my clothes are in the next room, do I need to bring them over here?” Tom asked.

“You won’t need those for a while. Take your shoes and socks off now,” Dr. Johnson replied as he looked at Tom’s chart. Tom noticed Spencer smirking as he busied himself completing the room setup.

Tom sat down in the chair to remove his shoes and socks and watched Dr. Johnson take a pair of latex gloves out of the box on the wall and snap them onto his hands.

“Take your underpants off now and stand in front of me,” Dr. Johnson said as he sat down on a stool and wheeled into the middle of the room.

Tom took a breath and hooked his fingers in the waistband of his briefs, pulled them down and stepped out of them. Spencer took them and set them on the counter and watched Tom walk over and stand completely naked in the middle of the room in front of Dr. Johnson.